Dehydration Tolerance in Plants

Authors: Oliver, Melvin; CUSHMAN, JOHN - University Of Nevada; KOSTER, KAREN - University Of South Dakota

Submitted to: Methods in Molecular Biology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2009
Publication Date: 3/10/2010
Citation: Oliver, M.J., Cushman, J.C., Koster, K.L. 2010. Dehydration Tolerance in Plants. Methods in Molecular Biology. p. 3-24.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: All plants have to cope with the constant tendency of their tissues to equilibrate to the water potential ('w) of their surrounding environment, whether it is the substrate upon or within which they grow, the soil within which they are rooted, or the air that surrounds them. The gradient in water potential between the tissues of the plant and the surrounding environment determines the direction of water flow and the steepness of the gradient that determines, in part, the speed of that flow. In this review, we have discussed the practical aspects of studying plants under water deficits and the application of dehydration treatments, what is required to accurately assess stress responses, and what are the cellular consequences of dehydration.. We have then discussed the state of the field with regards to the underlying gene expression aspects of dehydration and drought responses and how the plant controls them. We have also discussed what is known about the mechanistic aspects of dehydration tolerance and how that impacts agriculture. This review will aid researchers in the field to design, execute and interpret their findings in the context of the state of our knowledge of how plants cope with dehydration.