Exploring physiological and molecular dynamics of drought stress responses in plants: challenges and future directions

Plants face multifactorial environmental stressors mainly due to global warming and climate change which affect their growth, metabolism, and productivity. Among them, is drought stress which alters intracellular water relations, photosynthesis, ion homeostasis and elevates reactive oxygen species which eventually reduce their growth and yields. In addition, drought alters soil physicochemical properties and beneficial microbiota which are critical for plant survival. Recent reports have shown that climate change is increasing the occurrence and intensity of drought in many regions of the world, which has become a primary concern in crop productivity, ecophysiology and food security. To develop ideas and…