Abstract
Trichomes are found on almost all terrestrial plants and are derived from epidermal cells. Nonglandular trichomes (NGTs) protect plants from environmental stress, such as pest and pathogen invasion, reduce water loss, and increase resistance to abiotic stressors, including UV radiation, cold, and extreme temperatures. Trichomes provide an excellent model system for studying the growth and differentiation of plant cells. Although several such genes that govern the specification and patterning of trichomes have been molecularly characterized in a few model plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana, most aspects of trichome initiation remain unclear. In this review, we summarize the structural and morphological characteristics of NGTs in diverse crops as well as report recent investigations providing insights into the regulation of NGT formation in plants. We also discuss how NGTs help plants resist various abiotic factors that impose multiple stresses on plant life. This review provides a foundation for understanding the valuable role of NGTs in protecting plants from multiple stresses.