Chapter 4 - Plant Growth and Morphological Changes in Rice Under Abiotic Stress

Abstract

Abiotic stresses are taken as the major limitations to crop productivity worldwide. Different types of abiotic stress like drought stress, salinity stress, heavy metal stress, cold stress, and heat stress have negative impacts on different growth and morphological aspects in rice plants. These conditions have been intensified due to the drastic fluctuations in global climate. Drought and heat are considered as the most significant types among all stresses that have the most negative impacts on growth, morphological, biological, biochemical, and physiological characterizes of rice plant. Abiotic stresses affect 70% of rice crops by disturbing seed germination, young seedling, root and shoot length and height, flowering, grain filling, maturity, harvesting and ultimately the final yield of rice crop. So, it is important to recognize the growth and morphological interventions associated with abiotic stresses for better management in the agricultural sector. This chapter provides a comprehensive interpretation of plant responses to drought, salinity, heavy metal, cold, and heat stresses with special focus on effects of these stresses on different growth and morphological changes.