Epigenetic regulation of stress responses in plants involves modifications such as DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications, which influence gene expression and plant development under stress. These modifications can be short-term or long-term, with some being inherited across cell divisions. Epigenetic stress memory helps plants adapt to subsequent stresses. Comparative studies of stress-responsive epigenomes and transcriptomes enhance understanding of plant stress adaptation. Histone modifications, such as acetylation and methylation, regulate gene expression and chromatin structure. DNA methylation also plays a key role in gene regulation. Stress-induced changes in histone modifications and DNA methylation are often referred to as epigenetic regulation. However, these changes may not always be truly epigenetic as they require mitotic or meiotic heritability. Stress-induced histone modifications can influence DNA methylation. For example, stress-induced histone acetylation can lead to changes in DNA methylation patterns. RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is involved in DNA methylation, with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) playing a role in this process. Stress-induced epigenetic changes can affect gene expression and plant development, with some changes being heritable. Epigenetic regulation of stress responses is crucial for plant development and stress tolerance. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and other epigenetic regulators are involved in stress responses. For example, HDA6 and HDA19 are involved in stress responses and gene regulation. Stress-induced changes in histone modifications and DNA methylation can affect gene expression and plant development. Epigenetic memory of stress can have adaptive value, allowing plants to better cope with subsequent stresses. However, stress memory can also have negative impacts on crop yield by preventing plants from reaching their full potential. Understanding epigenetic regulation of stress responses is important for crop management and improvement. Advances in understanding DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs provide tools to study and harness epigenetic stress memory for agricultural applications.Epigenetic regulation of stress responses in plants involves modifications such as DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications, which influence gene expression and plant development under stress. These modifications can be short-term or long-term, with some being inherited across cell divisions. Epigenetic stress memory helps plants adapt to subsequent stresses. Comparative studies of stress-responsive epigenomes and transcriptomes enhance understanding of plant stress adaptation. Histone modifications, such as acetylation and methylation, regulate gene expression and chromatin structure. DNA methylation also plays a key role in gene regulation. Stress-induced changes in histone modifications and DNA methylation are often referred to as epigenetic regulation. However, these changes may not always be truly epigenetic as they require mitotic or meiotic heritability. Stress-induced histone modifications can influence DNA methylation. For example, stress-induced histone acetylation can lead to changes in DNA methylation patterns. RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is involved in DNA methylation, with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) playing a role in this process. Stress-induced epigenetic changes can affect gene expression and plant development, with some changes being heritable. Epigenetic regulation of stress responses is crucial for plant development and stress tolerance. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and other epigenetic regulators are involved in stress responses. For example, HDA6 and HDA19 are involved in stress responses and gene regulation. Stress-induced changes in histone modifications and DNA methylation can affect gene expression and plant development. Epigenetic memory of stress can have adaptive value, allowing plants to better cope with subsequent stresses. However, stress memory can also have negative impacts on crop yield by preventing plants from reaching their full potential. Understanding epigenetic regulation of stress responses is important for crop management and improvement. Advances in understanding DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs provide tools to study and harness epigenetic stress memory for agricultural applications.