Abiotic Stress
| Authors: | Héloïse Bastiaanse, Guillaume Théroux-Rancourt, Aude Tixier |
| Year: | 2017 |
| Type: | Book Chapter |
| Station: | Pacific Southwest Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1007/7397_2016_13 |
| Source: | Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics of Angiosperm Trees. Plant Genetics and Genomics: Crops and Models, vol 21. |
Abstract
Abiotic stresses such as drought, are the main factors for forest declines globally. There is therefore an increasing interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying tree adaptations and survival to water deprivation. Angiosperm tree species demonstrate an amazing phenotypic plasticity. They sense and respond to adverse changing environmental conditions via a series of physiological, cellular, and molecular processes which are under a tight genetic control. In this book chapter, first we present some key morphological and anatomical features adopted by angiosperm tree species to survive drought. These traits are described at the roots, stem and shoots levels. Then, we provide insights into the dynamics of gene expression and components of regulatory networks associated with drought response, including comparisons among angiosperm tree species. Such comparative genomic approaches have the potential to provide a better understanding of the evolution and diversification process of drought response in angiosperm trees but also to the development of cultivars resilient to drought and other abiotic stresses.