Effect of Drought and Heat Stress on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Wheat

Abstract

Wheat is the main crop containing basic calories and proteins. In tropics and subtropics, heat and drought are the major stresses related to environmental conditions that reduce the wheat production. In plants, heat as well as drought stress alters vital activities and generates reactive oxygen species that cause severe oxidative damage to plants. Plants have evolved various protective mechanisms including production of protective proteins to lessen the effect of heat stress. Heat and drought stress alter water relations, osmolyte contents, soluble proteins and sugars. Turgor pressure, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) are lowest in heat stress. Combined effect of drought and heat stress is more damaging than individual stress on wheat plant.