DROUGHT TOLERANCE Meaning and
Definition
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Drought tolerance refers to the ability of a plant, crop, or organism to withstand or endure a prolonged period of low moisture or water availability in its environment. It is a crucial trait that allows plants to survive and maintain their growth, development, and productivity in arid or semi-arid regions where water scarcity is a major challenge.
Plants with high drought tolerance possess specific physiological, biochemical, and morphological adaptations that enable them to cope with limited water resources. These adaptations include traits such as deep root systems that can search for water in drier soil layers, the ability to regulate water loss through transpiration, and the efficient use of available water through mechanisms like stomatal closure.
Drought-tolerant plants often have higher osmotic adjustments, allowing them to maintain cellular hydration and protect essential cellular functions under water-deficient conditions. They may also exhibit enhanced antioxidant defense systems to counteract the oxidative stress caused by drought.
The trait of drought tolerance is important not only for sustaining plant productivity but also for ensuring food security, as it directly impacts crop yields. Cultivating drought-tolerant crop varieties is an effective approach to mitigate the negative effects of drought on agriculture, conserve water resources, and enhance global food production.
Overall, drought tolerance represents a valuable characteristic for plants and crops, enabling them to survive and thrive in water-limited environments, which is of significant importance for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem resilience.
Etymology of DROUGHT TOLERANCE
The word "drought" traces back to the Old English word "druȝan" or "dryȝan" which meant "to suffer from thirst" or "to dry up". It is ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word *dreuganą.
The term "tolerance" comes from the Latin word "tolerantia" meaning "endurance" or "patience". It is derived from the verb "tolerare", which means "to bear" or "to endure".
So, the term "drought tolerance" combines the word "drought" referring to the lack of water or dry conditions, with "tolerance" indicating the ability to endure or withstand such conditions.
