Target osmoprotectants for abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants - glycine betaine and proline.

Abstract

This chapter covers the physiological and genetic mechanisms (i.e. enzymes and genes) involved in the synthesis of glycinebetaine [betaine] and proline in plants, and in the role of both osmoprotectants in the response of plants to abiotic stresses (such as drought, salinity, and heat, cold and metal stresses).