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In botany, drought tolerance is the ability by which a plant maintains its biomass production during arid or drought conditions. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Some plants are naturally adapted to dry conditions , surviving with protection mechanisms such as desiccation tolerance , detoxification , or repair of xylem embolism. [ 3 ]
A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions. [1]: 1157 A drought can last for days, months or years. Drought often has large impacts on the ecosystems and agriculture of affected regions, and causes harm to the local economy.
Plants absorb water from the soil, which then evaporates from their shoots and leaves; this process is known as transpiration.If placed in a dry environment, a typical mesophytic plant would evaporate water faster than the rate of water uptake from the soil, leading to wilting and even death.
Resistance to drought is a quantitative trait, with a complex phenotype, often confounded by plant phenology. Breeding for drought resistance is further complicated since several types of abiotic stress, such as high temperatures, high irradiance, and nutrient toxicities or deficiencies can challenge crop plants simultaneously.
In a variety of species, drought decreases specific leaf area. [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] For example, under drought conditions, leaves were, on average, smaller than leaves on control plants. [ 17 ] This is a logical observation, as a relative decrease in surface area would mean that there would be fewer ways for water to be lost.
Heat tolerance may be displayed alongside cold-hardiness, such as in the American Horticultural Society's "Heat Zones". See Thermoregulation § In plants and Breeding for heat stress tolerance . For drought tolerance , see Drought § Impact on crops and Breeding for drought stress tolerance .
whereas high WUE plants could correspond to a drought avoidance/water saving strategy, through drought-sensitive, early closing stomata. Increases in water-use efficiency are commonly cited as a response mechanism of plants to moderate to severe soil water deficits and have been the focus of many programs that seek to increase crop tolerance to ...
Dryland farming caused a large dust storm in parts of Eastern Washington on October 4, 2009. Courtesy: NASA/GSFC, MODIS Rapid Response [1]. Dryland farming has evolved as a set of techniques and management practices to adapt to limited availability of water, as in the Western US and other regions affected by climate change for crops such as tomato and maize.