Compounds and methods are described herein that are effective to modulate plant response (e.g., plant susceptibility) to environmentally-induced stress. The compounds and methods described herein advantageously may be used to modulate environmental stress resistance in a wide variety of plants. Environmental stresses include, for example, high light intensity (UV exposure), temperature (e.g., high heat), high soil salinity, and low soil moisture (e.g., drought). As used herein, environmental stresses include any conditions that result in increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accumulation of ROS in the plant cells. The compounds described herein that are effective to modulate resistance to the stress prevent, directly or indirectly, or increase phosphorylation of Tyr248 of the RACK1A protein.
