Abiotic stress-induced secondary metabolite production in Brassica: opportunities and challenges Secondary plant metabolites, such as glucosinolates, flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids, are influenced by genetic, environmental, and agronomic factors. Understanding their genetic basis is crucial for developing stress-resilient crops. Although environmental factors influence phytochemical profiles, studies on plant compounds in relation to stress mitigation are limited due to phytochemical diversity and technical challenges. Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in profiling secondary metabolites. This study aims to understand the roles of these metabolites in abiotic stress response, focusing on developing stress-resilient crops. Brassica is a focal genus due to its specialized phytochemicals and economically important crops. Augmented levels of these metabolites primarily function as stress mitigators against oxidative stress. Functional characterization of stress-response metabolites is essential for developing stress-resilient Brassica crops. Brassica crops are affected by unfavorable environmental conditions. They are widely cultivated due to their nutritional and economic significance. The study analyzed abiotic stress-induced secondary metabolite production in Brassica, including glucosinolates, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids. This study provides insights into their stress-specific and non-specific roles in metabolic adaptation to adverse growth conditions. It offers potential metabolite or biosynthesis candidate genes for improved stress management in Brassica crops. It also provides alternative approaches for managing short-term abiotic stress conditions through exogenous application of stress-mitigating metabolites. Glucosinolates (GSLs) are sulfur- and nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites found in Brassica crops. They play multifunctional roles in plants, including stress response, growth, and development. GSLs are classified into aliphatic, indolic, and aromatic compounds. Studies have shown that GSL content and profiles can impact plant fitness under stressful conditions. GSL metabolism responses to abiotic stress are relatively understudied. In Brassica oleracea var. acephala, chilling increases aliphatic GSLs, while freezing increases indolic GSLs. In Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis, thermotolerant lines show elevated GSLs. Drought stress increases GSL content in Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis. GSLs and ITCs promote stomatal closure by stimulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Drought stress in Brassica oleracea L. crops influences GSL content and suggests a link between water stress resistance and NGBS accumulation. Phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, are widely studied for their role in stress mitigation and human health. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help plants overcome adverse effects of abiotic stresses. Phenolic acids are important for plant stress responses. Studies have shown that flavonoid content increasesAbiotic stress-induced secondary metabolite production in Brassica: opportunities and challenges Secondary plant metabolites, such as glucosinolates, flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids, are influenced by genetic, environmental, and agronomic factors. Understanding their genetic basis is crucial for developing stress-resilient crops. Although environmental factors influence phytochemical profiles, studies on plant compounds in relation to stress mitigation are limited due to phytochemical diversity and technical challenges. Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in profiling secondary metabolites. This study aims to understand the roles of these metabolites in abiotic stress response, focusing on developing stress-resilient crops. Brassica is a focal genus due to its specialized phytochemicals and economically important crops. Augmented levels of these metabolites primarily function as stress mitigators against oxidative stress. Functional characterization of stress-response metabolites is essential for developing stress-resilient Brassica crops. Brassica crops are affected by unfavorable environmental conditions. They are widely cultivated due to their nutritional and economic significance. The study analyzed abiotic stress-induced secondary metabolite production in Brassica, including glucosinolates, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids. This study provides insights into their stress-specific and non-specific roles in metabolic adaptation to adverse growth conditions. It offers potential metabolite or biosynthesis candidate genes for improved stress management in Brassica crops. It also provides alternative approaches for managing short-term abiotic stress conditions through exogenous application of stress-mitigating metabolites. Glucosinolates (GSLs) are sulfur- and nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites found in Brassica crops. They play multifunctional roles in plants, including stress response, growth, and development. GSLs are classified into aliphatic, indolic, and aromatic compounds. Studies have shown that GSL content and profiles can impact plant fitness under stressful conditions. GSL metabolism responses to abiotic stress are relatively understudied. In Brassica oleracea var. acephala, chilling increases aliphatic GSLs, while freezing increases indolic GSLs. In Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis, thermotolerant lines show elevated GSLs. Drought stress increases GSL content in Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis. GSLs and ITCs promote stomatal closure by stimulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Drought stress in Brassica oleracea L. crops influences GSL content and suggests a link between water stress resistance and NGBS accumulation. Phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, are widely studied for their role in stress mitigation and human health. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help plants overcome adverse effects of abiotic stresses. Phenolic acids are important for plant stress responses. Studies have shown that flavonoid content increases