Provided are systems and methods for plant stress mitigation. The systems provided comprises three key components to perform a self-standardized algorithm for identifying/measuring significant stress conditions within a short time window (for example 1 to 3 days). After identification of a significant stress condition, plants under stress can be treated with a composition comprising an ethylene synthesis or perception inhibitor, for example 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Also provided are methods for identifying plant genes in response to stress using the system disclosed herein.
