Plant Responses to Drought Stress: A Comprehensive Literature Review

This literature review examines the detrimental effects of drought stress on plants, emphasizing its impact on crop productivity and the rise in ambient temperatures. It explores how plants have evolved various mechanisms to tolerate drought, including biochemical, physiological, and morphological adaptations. The review delves into the effects of drought on photosynthesis, plant temperature, and assimilate partitioning. It further discusses plant cooling mechanisms, such as thermomorphogenesis and evaporative cooling, which help plants maintain optimal temperatures. Additionally, the review covers morphological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms plants employ to achieve drought tolerance, including stomatal oscillations, root systems, and antioxidant defense systems. The study underscores the importance of understanding these mechanisms to develop strategies for enhancing plant resilience in the face of climate change and ensuring global food security.