Abiotic stress

Abiotic stress is a type of environmental stress caused by non-living environmental factors such as temperature, light, water, wind, and soil factors. Abiotic stress can be a major factor limiting crop growth and development, and thus, has become a major research focus of plant physiology and crop production. Abiotic stresses can occur due to extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat, cold, and salinity, or due to environmental factors such as air pollution, soil alkalinity, and soil acidity. Abiotic stress can alter the growth and metabolism of plants, resulting in decreased yields and reduced quality of agricultural products. Plants have evolved a variety of adaptive strategies to cope with abiotic stress, including alterations in photosynthesis, metabolism, and water relations. Photosynthesis can be altered by increasing the number and size of chloroplasts, increasing pigment content, and/or changing the ratio of light absorbance and utilization. Metabolic changes in response to abiotic stress can be seen in changes in root growth, leaf area and stomatal conductance. Plants can also store energy, and water, to help them cope with abiotic stress.