Leaf senescence is the final stage of leaf development and involves coordinated changes in cell structure, metabolism, and gene expression. It is a genetically programmed process, often associated with programmed cell death (PCD), and plays a crucial role in nutrient recycling. In agricultural settings, senescence can limit crop yield and cause postharvest losses. Understanding senescence is important for both fundamental plant biology and for developing strategies to manipulate it for agricultural applications. Leaf senescence is regulated by environmental and autonomous factors, including temperature, water availability, light conditions, and plant hormones. Environmental cues such as drought, nutrient deficiency, and shading can induce senescence, while internal factors like age and reproductive development also influence it. Hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene play key roles in regulating senescence, with some inhibiting and others promoting it. Differential gene expression during senescence is characterized by the down-regulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and the up-regulation of genes associated with nutrient translocation and degradation. Senescence-associated genes (SAGs) are involved in processes such as the breakdown of chloroplasts, nutrient mobilization, and the production of enzymes that facilitate these processes. SAGs are expressed in a variety of plant species and are often specific to senescing tissues. The regulation of SAG expression is complex and involves multiple pathways. This plasticity allows for the senescence process to be influenced by various factors, and the expression of SAGs can vary depending on the conditions. The promoter regions of SAGs are often multifactorial, with no common sequence elements, suggesting that multiple regulatory mechanisms are involved. Molecular genetic approaches to manipulate senescence include the use of phytohormones such as cytokinins and ethylene. Cytokinin production can be enhanced to delay senescence, while ethylene production can be blocked to prevent it. These strategies have been successfully applied in transgenic plants, leading to delayed senescence and improved agricultural outcomes. In conclusion, leaf senescence is a genetically controlled process regulated by a variety of environmental and autonomous factors. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying senescence is essential for developing strategies to manipulate it for agricultural applications. The identification of SAGs and the study of their regulation provide a foundation for further research into the genetic control of senescence.Leaf senescence is the final stage of leaf development and involves coordinated changes in cell structure, metabolism, and gene expression. It is a genetically programmed process, often associated with programmed cell death (PCD), and plays a crucial role in nutrient recycling. In agricultural settings, senescence can limit crop yield and cause postharvest losses. Understanding senescence is important for both fundamental plant biology and for developing strategies to manipulate it for agricultural applications. Leaf senescence is regulated by environmental and autonomous factors, including temperature, water availability, light conditions, and plant hormones. Environmental cues such as drought, nutrient deficiency, and shading can induce senescence, while internal factors like age and reproductive development also influence it. Hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene play key roles in regulating senescence, with some inhibiting and others promoting it. Differential gene expression during senescence is characterized by the down-regulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and the up-regulation of genes associated with nutrient translocation and degradation. Senescence-associated genes (SAGs) are involved in processes such as the breakdown of chloroplasts, nutrient mobilization, and the production of enzymes that facilitate these processes. SAGs are expressed in a variety of plant species and are often specific to senescing tissues. The regulation of SAG expression is complex and involves multiple pathways. This plasticity allows for the senescence process to be influenced by various factors, and the expression of SAGs can vary depending on the conditions. The promoter regions of SAGs are often multifactorial, with no common sequence elements, suggesting that multiple regulatory mechanisms are involved. Molecular genetic approaches to manipulate senescence include the use of phytohormones such as cytokinins and ethylene. Cytokinin production can be enhanced to delay senescence, while ethylene production can be blocked to prevent it. These strategies have been successfully applied in transgenic plants, leading to delayed senescence and improved agricultural outcomes. In conclusion, leaf senescence is a genetically controlled process regulated by a variety of environmental and autonomous factors. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying senescence is essential for developing strategies to manipulate it for agricultural applications. The identification of SAGs and the study of their regulation provide a foundation for further research into the genetic control of senescence.