Introduction to Plant Stresses

Abstract

Plant stress is a state where the plant is growing in non-ideal growth conditions that increase the demands made upon it. The effects of stress can lead to deficiencies in growth, crop yields, permanent damage or death if the stress exceeds the plant tolerance limits. Plant stress factors are mainly categorized into two main groups; abiotic factors and biotic factors. The abiotic factors include the different environmental factors that affect plant growth (such as light, water, and temperature), while the biotic factors are the other organisms that share the environment and interact with the plants (such as pathogens and pests). Response to stress usually involves complex molecular mechanisms, including changes in gene expression and regulatory networks. In this chapter, we will provide a general overview of the different types of plant stresses, their effects and how plants respond these different types of stress.