Enhancing Plant Growth in Adverse Environmental Conditions

As climate change intensifies, harsh environmental conditions, such as increased drought and salt levels, will cause significant challenges to agricultural productivity globally. Plants are naturally sensitive to stress but have evolved mechanisms that play a crucial role in regulating plant responses to environmental stress. However, the adaptations occurring may not be quick enough to ensure the long-term survivability or production of our agricultural system. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a hormone that allows plants to tolerate dry and salty conditions by causing stomatal closure and triggering a temporary dormancy. While naturally produced by plants, supplementation could enhance a plant’s resistance to harsh conditions. This study investigates how the timing of ABA treatment promotes plant growth under stressful conditions, specifically drought and salt stress. Arabidopsis thaliana, a commonly used plant model, provides insight into the processes underlying plant resistance to environmental challenges, mainly through the action of the plant hormone ABA. Arabidopsis plants grown on agar are supplemented with the ABA hormone as they mature and then exposed to drought and salt stress at different time intervals to evaluate optimal timing and effectiveness of treatment. By understanding these procedures, we aim to help farmers who want to grow crops that can resist difficult environmental circumstances by offering workable alternatives. This study emphasizes how crucial it is to use plant physiology to maintain food security and sustainability in changing climatic conditions.