An overview on drought induced changes in plant growth, water relations and photosynthesis

At a whole plant level the effects of drought is usually perceived as a decrease in growth and photosynthetic carbon assimilation. That is why this review is focused mainly on recent information about the effects of drought on plant growth, water relations and photosynthesis, as well as mechanisms of adaptation. It is shown that plants have evolved a great number of adaptive mechanisms that allow the biochemical systems to cope with increased water deficit. The literature analyzed in this review shows the complexity of tolerance to water deficit and supports the statements of many authors that the flexibility of cell metabolism and its fast acclimation to changes in environmental conditions is a first essential step in stress avoidance.