Plants are often exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions, for instance abiotic
stresses, which dramatically alter distribution of plant species among ecological niches and limit
the yields of crop species. Among these, drought stress is one of the most impacting factors which
alter seriously the plant physiology, finally leading to the decline of the crop productivity. Drought
stress causes in plants a set of morpho-anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes, mainly
addressed to limit the loss of water by transpiration with the attempt to increase the plant water
use eciency. The stomata closure, one of the first consistent reactions observed under drought,
results in a series of consequent physiological/biochemical adjustments aimed at balancing the
photosynthetic process as well as at enhancing the plant defense barriers against drought-promoted
stress (e.g., stimulation of antioxidant systems, accumulation of osmolytes and stimulation of
aquaporin synthesis), all representing an attempt by the plant to overcome the unfavorable period of
limited water availability. In view of the severe changes in water availability imposed by climate
change factors and considering the increasing human population, it is therefore of outmost importance
to highlight: (i) how plants react to drought; (ii) the mechanisms of tolerance exhibited by some
species/cultivars; and (iii) the techniques aimed at increasing the tolerance of crop species against
limited water availability. All these aspects are necessary to respond to the continuously increasing
demand for food, which unfortunately parallels the loss of arable land due to changes in rainfall
dynamics and prolonged period of drought provoked by climate change factors. This review
summarizes the most updated findings on the impact of drought stress on plant morphological,
biochemical and physiological features and highlights plant mechanisms of tolerance which could
be exploited to increase the plant capability to survive under limited water availability. In addition,
possible applicative strategies to help the plant in counteracting unfavorable drought periods are
also discussed.
Keywords: drought stress; photosynthesis; antioxidant; secondary
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This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/app10165692