Drought stress memory and drought stress tolerance in plants: Biochemical and molecular basis

Abstract

Drought is one of the major environmental factors limiting plant growth and development. Drought stress tolerance in plants involves diverse and multiple physiological and molecular mechanisms. Priming and drought stress memory are key processes, by which plant may increase the tolerance to subsequent drought events. Stress memory involves multiple modifications at physiological, proteomic, transcriptional levels and epigenetic mechanisms. In this chapter, we summarized recent advancements in physiological, biochemical, and molecular studies related to drought priming and its effect on drought tolerance in plants. The mechanisms of drought stress memory and the possible priming-induced cross-tolerance to other abiotic stresses are discussed.