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Advancements in Water‐Saving Strategies and Crop Adaptation to Drought: A Comprehensive Review

Juan D Franco-Navarro,Y. Padilla,Sara Álvarez,Ángeles Calatayud,J. M. Colmenero-Flores,M. J. Gómez-Bellot,J. A. Hernández,Isabel Martínez-Alcalá,C. Penella,J. G. Pérez-Pérez,M. J. Sánchez-Blanco,María Tasa,J. Acosta-Motos

Published 2025 in Physiologia Plantarum : An International Journal for Plant Biology

ABSTRACT

Drought stress, which is one of the most critical environmental constraints affecting global crop productivity, is exacerbated by climate change and increased atmospheric water demand. This review comprehensively examines plant responses to drought, integrating physiological, morphological, biochemical, and genetic adaptations that contribute to water‐use efficiency and stress tolerance. Key mechanisms such as osmotic adjustment, stomatal regulation, antioxidant defense, and hormonal signaling are analyzed, highlighting their role in mitigating drought‐induced cellular damage. Advances in plant breeding and biotechnological approaches, including transgenic strategies, genome editing, and marker‐assisted selection, are discussed in the context of improving drought resilience. The importance of root system architecture, leaf anatomical modifications, and stress‐responsive transcription factors is underscored as essential components of drought adaptation. Additionally, agronomic innovations such as precision irrigation, soil management techniques, and plant‐microbe interactions are reviewed due to their potential to enhance sustainable water use in agriculture. The role of epigenetic modifications and long‐distance signaling mechanisms in drought acclimation is explored, shedding light on emerging strategies for engineering multi‐stress tolerant crops. Furthermore, we assess the impact of drought on crop nutritional quality, the trade‐offs between drought tolerance and pest resistance, and the socio‐economic implications of water scarcity on global food security. This review provides a roadmap for integrating cutting‐edge scientific knowledge with practical agricultural applications, aiming to develop resilient cropping systems capable of sustaining productivity under increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions.

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