Mechanistic insights and future perspectives of drought stress management in staple crops

Due to extended periods of below-normal rainfall and rising temperatures, drought is a significant global issue for agricultural productivity. Hydrological, agricultural, and meteorological droughts all pose different problems with regard to the availability of water for important crops, which in turn impacts plant development and yield. Depending on the crop species and stage of maturity, drought stress degrades plant metabolism and physiological processes, resulting in decreased growth and yield losses that can range from 30% to 90%. Acclimatization and adaptation are the two basic techniques that plants use to survive drought. Rapid alterations in physiological processes and chemical composition, including…