Abstract
Flavonoids are a special category of hydroxylated phenolic compounds
having an aromatic ring structure. Quercetin is a special subclass of
flavonoid. It is a bioactive natural compound built upon the flavon
structure nC6(ring A)-C3(ring C)-C6(ring B). Quercetin facilitates
several plant physiological processes, such as seed germination, pollen
growth, antioxidant machinery, and photosynthesis, as well as induces
proper plant growth and development. Quercetin is a powerful
antioxidant, so it potently provides plant tolerance against several
biotic and abiotic stresses. This review highlights quercetin’s role in
increasing several physiological and biochemical processes in under
stress and non-stress environments. Additionally, this review briefly
assesses quercetin’s role in mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses
(e.g., salt, heavy metal, and UV stress). The biosynthesis of
flavonoids, their signaling pathways, and quercetin’s role in plant
signaling are also discussed.