Recent Advances in Plant Drought Tolerance

Drought stress (DS) is a recurrent and severe meteorological challenge affecting agricultural regions globally, leading to significant shifts in plant species distribution and substantial reductions in crop yields. The seasonal occurrence, intensity, and duration of DS vary in response to changing climatic conditions. Plants deploy various physio-biochemical and anatomical alterations to combat such conditions, including stomatal closure, modified root growth and architecture, shifts in metabolic pathways, and altered physiological responses. Moreover, metabolic shifts and physio-chemical adaptations under DS often shorten plant life cycles, reducing yields. Nevertheless, the impact of DS on plants depends on the soil water gradient, precipitation duration and degree, plant species, and developmental stage. This review elucidates the complex effects of DS on trait variations, highlighting the current knowledge on advances in genetic engineering, breeding, and agronomic approaches and exploring potential strategies to increase yield and develop drought-resistant crops.