Open AccessDrought coping strategies in cotton: increased crop per drop
Author(s) -
Ullah Abid,
Sun Heng,
Yang Xiyan,
Zhang Xianlong
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.12688
Subject(s) - biology , abscisic acid , jasmonic acid , drought tolerance , quantitative trait locus , photosynthesis , reactive oxygen species , drought stress , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , genetics
Summary The growth and yield of many crops, including cotton, are affected by water deficit. Cotton has evolved drought specific as well as general morpho‐physiological, biochemical and molecular responses to drought stress, which are discussed in this review. The key physiological responses against drought stress in cotton, including stomata closing, root development, cellular adaptations, photosynthesis, abscisic acid ( ABA ) and jasmonic acid ( JA ) production and reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) scavenging, have been identified by researchers. Drought stress induces the expression of stress‐related transcription factors and genes, such as ROS scavenging, ABA or mitogen‐activated protein kinases ( MAPK ) signalling genes, which activate various drought‐related pathways to induce tolerance in the plant. It is crucial to elucidate and induce drought‐tolerant traits via quantitative trait loci ( QTL ) analysis, transgenic approaches and exogenous application of substances. The current review article highlights the natural as well as engineered drought tolerance strategies in cotton.