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Morpho-Anatomical Traits for Plant Adaptation to Drought

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Plant Responses to Drought Stress

Abstract

Plant resistance to drought relies on adaptive strategies based on the timing of phenophases and on the presence of structural traits mainly related to: (1) increase of water uptake and storage; (2) reduction of water loss during dry periods; and (3) mechanical reinforcement of tissues to prevent wilting that may lead to irreversible collapse and damage of cells. In this chapter, after a few evolutionary considerations, we focus on the adaptive value of the main phenological, morphological and anatomical properties. We report the common existence of such traits in both desert and semiarid environments, especially in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. All morpho-anatomical characteristics are interpreted considering that plant resistance to drought also depends on the ability to respond to multiple stressors. We conclude that various combinations of anatomical features can contribute in different degrees to the adaptive capacity of plants to drought.

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  1. Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Arboriculture, Botany and Plant Pathology, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, I-80055, Portici (Naples), Italy

    Veronica De Micco & Giovanna Aronne

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  1. Veronica De Micco
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  2. Giovanna Aronne
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Correspondence to Veronica De Micco .

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  1. (CSIC), Departamento de Microbiología, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Profesor Albareda 1, Granada, 18008, Spain

    Ricardo Aroca

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De Micco, V., Aronne, G. (2012). Morpho-Anatomical Traits for Plant Adaptation to Drought. In: Aroca, R. (eds) Plant Responses to Drought Stress. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32653-0_2

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