Plant photosynthetic responses under drought stress: Effects and management

• Published in: Journal of agronomy and crop science (1986) Vol. 209; no. 5; pp. 651 - 672
• Main Authors: Zahra, Noreen, Hafeez, Muhammad Bilal, Kausar, Abida, Al Zeidi, Maryam, Asekova, Sovetgul, Siddique, Kadambot H. M., Farooq, Muhammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2023
• Subjects: agronomy; biomass; Calvin cycle; Chloroplasts; Drought; electron transfer; Electron transport; Energy metabolism; Genetic engineering; Isoprene; Photosynthesis; Photosynthetic apparatus; Plants (botany); Retrograde transport; Stomata; stomatal movement; water stress
• ISSN: 0931-2250; 1439-037X
• DOI: 10.1111/jac.12652

Balanced photosynthesis is essential for improved plant survival and agricultural benefits in terms of biomass and yield. Photosynthesis is the hub of energy metabolism in plants; however, drought stress (DS) strongly perturbs photosynthetic efficiency due to biochemical and diffusive limitations that reduce key photosynthetic components and close stomata. This review describes photosynthetic responses, chloroplast retrograde signalling, and genetic imprints that curtail DS damage to photosynthetic machinery. While stomatal closure, disrupted photosynthetic systems, over‐reduced electron transport rates (ETR), partial hindrance of the Calvin cycle, and reduced pigment contents strongly affect the repertoire of photosynthetic processes under DS, chloroplast retrograde signalling also has a plausible role in preserving photosynthetic capacity. Progress in agronomic, genetic engineering approaches and isoprene regulation would help to rescue photosynthetic apparatus under DS.