The adaptation of plants to environmental stress relies not only on genetic diversity but also on dynamic epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Key layers of this regulation include DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, small RNAs, and epitranscriptomic marks, all of which interact to shape stress responses and developmental plasticity. These mechanisms enable plants to finely tune their transcriptional programs during drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metal stress, and in some cases, to establish stress memory that can persist within or across generations.

Recent discoveries have further expanded the complexity of plant epigenetic networks by highlighting the role of small RNAs and RNA modifications such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in post-transcriptional regulation. More importantly, the emergence of epigenome editing technologies, particularly CRISPR/dCas9-based systems combined with DNA or chromatin modifiers, enables the targeted and reversible manipulation of epigenetic states. Such approaches can create stable epialeles, identify epigenetic quantitative trait loci (epiQTLs), and ultimately provide new tools for plant breeding and climate resilience.

Despite promising progress, challenges remain, including efficient application to plants, minimizing off-target effects, and ensuring the stability of epigenetically induced changes under field conditions. Future research integrating multi-omic analyses with epigenome editing will be crucial for translating fundamental epigenetic insights into agricultural applications. Overall, combining mechanistic understanding with innovative editing strategies is placing plant epigenetics at the forefront of sustainable crop improvement in the era of climate change.