Drought and Salt Stress Responses in Plants

Plants subjected to drought or high salinity face a common challenge: cellular dehydration and ionic imbalance. Early perception of water deficit or excess salt triggers a rapid calcium‐dependent signalling cascade and the synthesis of abscisic acid (ABA), leading to stomatal closure and reduced water loss. Osmotic adjustment through accumulation of compatible solutes—such as proline, glycine betaine and certain sugars—helps maintain turgor and stabilise proteins. Concurrently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate as by‐products of disturbed electron transport in chloroplasts and mitochondria; controlled activation of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidases) and non‐enzymatic scavengers prevents oxidative damage. In salt stress, specialised ion transporters restore ionic homeostasis by sequestering sodium into the vacuole or extruding it from root cells while conserving potassium. Transcriptional networks centred on DREB/CBF and NAC factors orchestrate downstream defence genes, including those for late embryogenesis abundant proteins and dehydrins. Structural adaptations—such as thicker cuticles, deeper root systems and leaf succulence—further enhance tolerance. These physiological and molecular strategies operate at cellular, organ and whole‐plant scales to balance growth and defence, with important implications for breeding resilient crops under climate change.

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Drought and Salt Stress Responses in Plants publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in drought and salt stress responses in plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Osmotic stress: Cellular water deficit resulting from low external water potential or high salt concentration.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules (e.g. superoxide, hydrogen peroxide) formed under stress that can damage cellular components.

Osmoprotectants: Small organic compounds (e.g. proline, glycine betaine) that stabilise proteins and membranes under dehydration.

Abscisic acid (ABA): A phytohormone central to drought and salt stress signalling, mediating stomatal closure and gene expression.

Ion transporter: Membrane protein that moves specific ions (e.g. Na⁺, K⁺) across cell or vacuolar membranes to maintain ionic balance.

Stomatal conductance: Rate at which CO₂ enters and water vapour exits leaves through stomata, influencing photosynthesis and water loss.

References

1. Strategies of plants to overcome abiotic and biotic stresses. Biological Reviews (2024).
2. Drought tolerance and recovery capacity of two ornamental shrubs: Combining physiological and biochemical analyses with online leaf water status monitoring for the application in urban settings. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (2024).
3. How to Cope With Stress in the Desert—The Date Palm Approach. Plant Cell & Environment (2024).
4. Analysis of the main antioxidant enzymes in the roots of Tamarix ramosissima under NaCl stress by applying exogenous potassium (K+). Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).