This research initiative aims to uncover the role of individual amino acids in enhancing plant stress responses under both biotic and abiotic conditions. We will perform amino acid profiling using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) following the exogenous application of specific amino acids to explore dynamic changes and crosstalk among different amino acids. These findings will advance our understanding of amino acids in plant stress responses and provide foundational knowledge to improve resilience and productivity in economically important crop species. Moreover, our investigation extends to the impact of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on plant stress responses. Undergraduates participating in this project will learn the fundamental mechanisms behind plant stress responses. They will test the effects of exogenous amino acid application on stress responses and elucidate underlying mechanisms using molecular biology techniques and metabolic analysis. In parallel, the project will include VOC fumigation, assessing its influence on plant stress responses, and VOC profiling in response to bacterial pathogens.