Unraveling the complexity underpinning nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) can be physiologically approached via examining grain N sources and N internal efficiency (NIE) (yield to plant N content ratio). The main objective of this original research paper is to document and understand sorghum NUE and physiological mechanisms related to grain N dynamics. The study of different grain N sources, her...

The response of plants to drought stress depends on several factors including the plant developmental stage and the length and severity of the stress applied. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important pulse crop that is cultivated worldwide for human consumption. Understanding of the mechanisms responsible for its response to drought is, therefore, essential. An increasing numbe...

The unfolded protein response (UPR) endows plants with the capacity to perceive, respond, and protect themselves from adverse environmental conditions. The UPR signaling pathway in Arabidopsis has two "arms," one arm involving the bifunctional protein kinase (PK)/ribonuclease, IRE1, a RNA splicing enzyme, and another involving membrane-associated transcription factors, such as basic leucine zip...

Water status is the main factor affecting rice production. In order to understand rice strategies in response to drought condition in the field, the drought-responsive mechanisms at the physiological and molecular levels were studied in two rice genotypes with contrasting susceptibility to drought stress at reproductive stage. After 20 d of drought treatment, the osmotic potential of leaves red...

Plant growth and development are adversely affected by salinity – a major environmental stress that limits agricultural production. This chapter provides an overview of the physiological mechanisms by which growth and development of crop plants are affected by salinity. The initial phase of growth reduction is due to an osmotic effect, is similar to the initial response to water stress and show...