Biophysical methods used to generate tolerance to drought stress in seeds and plants: a review

Abstract

Drought stress has serious repercussions for agriculture, affecting crop growth with low yield effects concerning food production and food security. The main objective of this research is to conduct a scientific literature review of the physical methods used to generate tolerance to water stress in crops. (i) The most widely applied physical method to counteract the effects of drought stress is UV radiation, magnetic field application (18%), He-Ne and CO 2 laser (18%), gamma radiation (9%) and plasma (6%). (ii) Treatments with ultraviolet light and magnetic fields have been applied mainly in cereals, vegetables, legumes, medicinal plants, and trees. Also, He-Ne, CO 2 laser, and plasma in seeds in cereals and medicinal plants in the pre-sowing stage to seed level. Finally, gamma radiation has been applied to plants and seeds (grass, flowers, sugar plant). (iii) The reported physical methods can increase or decrease the biochemical variables under water stress depending on the physical method and radiation parameters applied, as well as the crop, level of drought and the environment in which the plants develop. Thus, UV radiation, magnetic fields, gamma radiation, and He-Ne and CO 2 lasers are physical methods that produce seed and plant improvement effects.K e y w o r d s: physical methods, drought stress, seed conditioning, tolerance to water stress

Physical Eustressors as Potential Tools to Improve Crop Stress Tolerance (Review)

“…Был обнаружен эффект последействия предпосевной обработки семян физическими стрессорами, выражающийся в повышении устойчивости растений к определенным видам стресса (засуха, засоление и др.). В частности, установлено, что обработка семян ультрафиолетовым и гамма-излучением впоследствии повышает засухоустойчивость растений [59]. Это делает перспективным рассмотрение эффекта физической предпосевной обработки семян в связи с вновь открытым явлением стрессовой эпигенетической памяти растений.…”

“…Предпосевная обработка для улучшения всхожести (прайминг) -это хорошо известная операция для улучшения качества семян, являющаяся эффективным средством увеличения их всхожести, синхронизации прорастания, а также улучшения роста проростков в неблагоприятных условиях, что способствует увеличению урожайности сельскохозяйственных растений [1]. Для предпосевной обработки семян активно используют способы воздействия, основанные на физических эффектах, таких как микроволновое и ультрафиолетовое излучение, ионизирующие излучения, магнитное поле [1,59].…”

Improving Drought Stress Tolerance in Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) Using Molecular Techniques

“…The development of ramie cultivars which are tolerant to environmental stresses is a critical need at this time ( Wu et al, 2021b ). Developing crop genotypes with improved agronomic traits that offer resistance to abiotic stresses has long been an international concern ( Romero-Galindo et al, 2022 ). The first step is to adopt reasonable practices under changing environmental conditions.…”

Effects of UV-C light and Spirulina maxima seed conditioning on the germination and the physical and nutraceutical properties of lentils (<i>Lens culinari</i>s)

“…Studies using various crops have confirmed, for example, the stimulating effect of bioactive compounds in pre-sowing seeds and in seedlings or plants during their development (Bera et al, 2022). Both ionizing and non-ionizing physical methods are promising techniques to use in the seed priming stage in order to improve seed quality parameters (sanitary, physiological, nutritional, genetic), reduce agrochemical use during cultivation and increase the tolerance to stress in agricultural crops (Romero et al, 2021). However, to fulfil a specific purpose or priority, it is necessary to find and optimize the radiation parameters that are used.…”