Plant Responses and Tolerance to High Temperature Stress: Role of Exogenous Phytoprotectants

Abstract

Among the abiotic stresses high temperature stress is one of the most detrimental stresses threatening higher plant productivity and survival throughout the world. Each degree Celsius increase of average growing season temperature may decrease crop yield and affect plant distribution. On the other hand, global average temperatures are supposed to increase from 1.8 to 4.0 °C or higher by 2100 as compared to the 1980-2000 average. Plants are intimidated by adverse effects of high temperature stresses. Protein denaturation, inactivation of enzymes, production of reactive oxygen species, and disruption of membrane structure are some of the primary damage effects of high temperature that are also responsible for damage of ultrastructural cellular components. These anomalies hamper plant growth and development. Although higher plants develop their own defense strategies to overcome the high temperature stress effects, these often are not enough, therefore substantial damage is observed. The metabolism in plants is altered in response to high temperature stress. The antioxidants, secondary metabolites, hormones, osmoprotectants, and many other essential biomolecules are modulated, which help to defend against high temperature impacts. Moreover, numerous studies have proved that as protectants the exogenously applied hormones, osmoregulators, antioxidants, signaling molecules, polyamines, and trace elements confer high temperature stress tolerance in the organisms. This chapter presents the responses of plants to high temperature stress and evaluates the role of exogenous protectants under high temperature stress.

Hydroxyproline-Rich Glycoproteins as Markers of Temperature Stress in the Leaves of Brachypodium distachyon

“…Temperature stresses that are induced by low or high temperatures inhibit water uptake, which immediately leads to a slowing down of leaf growth. This observation was correlated with a loss of turgor in leaf cells and an adjustment of the osmoticum, which enables cells to regain turgor [40]. AGP are well known for their water-holding properties [41].…”

Salicylic Acid: An All-Rounder in Regulating Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants

“…High temperature severely alters the plant physiological processes including germination, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, partitioning of dry matter, etc. [87]. In addition, HT results in enzyme inactivation, protein denaturation, disruption of proteins and membranes which ultimately affects plant growth [88,89].…”

Elevated CO2 and temperature alter development and food utilization of Spodoptera litura fed on resistant soybean

“…Similarly, Reddy, Reddy, and Hodges () found that higher temperature will increase the cotton canopy photosynthetic rate when alternating temperatures was 30/22°C. Higher temperature will increase the effective accumulated temperature, leading to faster growth rate in critical plant phenological stages (Whittaker, ), and affect tissue nutritional composition and secondary metabolites (Nahar et al., ). In addition, plant leaf nutrition also influences insect feeding and growth patterns.…”