Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops

*Malik Ghulam Asghar and Anam Bashir*

#### **Abstract**

The food demand is increasing hastily, that is inducing continuous pressure on agriculture sector and industries to fulfill rising dietary needs. To meet with increasing demand, the food production must be elevated up to 70% until the year 2050. On the other hand, changing climate is disturbing crop production around the World. Crops grown under field conditions are affected by more than one abiotic stress. It is continuous task and challenge for agronomists to make crops environment hardy to obtain maximum yield. It is considered that different agronomic managements, if done appropriately, could be beneficial for increasing crop production. The optimal provision of plant nutrients can assist the crops to fight in better way with environmental stress like drought; it can help them to continue their normal metabolism even under hostile abiotic circumstances. The regions that have reduced availability of water for crop production, a balanced nutrient management can assist crops to give adequate production. Some of nutrients have potential of not only maintaining plant metabolism but also to enhance the quality of product. This chapter highlights the protagonist of plant nutrients in alleviation of drought stress in field crops.

**Keywords:** drought, physiology, consequences, alleviation, macronutrients, micronutrients, mechanisms

#### **1. Introduction**

Water shortage is an emerging limitation to crop production due to climate change. It critically influences development and growth of crops and results in significant production loss. It is important to recognize morphological, physiological and bio-chemical effects of drought in relation to nutrient uptake in crops [1]. Drought impairs mineral transport and effects stomatal conductance. By considering nutrients role in plants growth, negative consequences of drought can be avoided by management strategies [2, 3]. Previously, many scientists have worked to understand the role of mineral nutrients in alleviation of drought stress, but more is to be done. Among minerals that are essential for plant growth, macronutrients has significant importance because their shortage lead to quick response and plants become more susceptible to other abiotic and biotic stresses. On the other hand, micronutrients deficiency effect at molecular level and results in altered enzymatic activity and blockage in signal transduction pathways [4]. Those plants that have

capability to attain and retain water in large amount, as well as better water usage efficiency, are more tolerant to drought stress. Response in the direction of water stress depends upon crop growth stage, intensity and severity of drought [5, 6].

There are many reports available previously that addresses the consequences of drought on different physiological parameters like photosynthesis, respiration, homeostasis and assimilates transportation but very few discourses the drought effects on mineral in crops. Albeit, if crops are grown on mineral-rich soils, water limitations can be the reason of disruption in nutrient uptake. Minerals are taken up by plants in inorganic ionic forms. When a plant is subject to drought, due to low soil moisture, the diffusion of minerals is disrupted and ultimately transport is affected [3, 7, 8].

#### **2. Effect of drought stress in crops**

Field crops are simultaneously subjected to more than one abiotic stress during their complete life cycle. Drought and high temperature are the most detrimental abiotic stresses. It is continuous task for scientists to make crops hardy against biotic and more importantly abiotic stresses to increase food productivity. The simulation model predicts that to cope with rising food demand, supply must be increased to 70% till the year 2050 [9–12].

Drought stress influences crops by disturbing their physiological and biochemical functioning [13–16]. Previously, work is done making crops vigorous to deal with climatic challenges [9, 16–18] but more is still to be done.

Early droughts due to changing climate can reduce crop productivity [19]. The struggle of water use among domestic, industrial and agricultural sector is making situation worse for irrigated agriculture [20]. This problematic situation is shifting agriculture from irrigated to rainfed areas where periodic drought events are occurring due to disturbed rainfall pattern [21, 22].

#### **2.1 Impact of drought on morphological traits**

Crops when subjected to drought stress show different behavior. Some crops are resistant to drought while others are susceptible [23]. Those crops that have taproot system are more tolerant to short term drought events. They can stand with mild to moderate drought condition. On the other hand, prolonged drought can affect all crops likewise and can cause significant yield loss [24].

#### *2.1.1 Effect of drought on seedling emergence*

Seed germination is the most critical stage in complete life cycle; it is influenced by water availability for imbibition [25]. Drought stress at this stage can results in irregular germination and deprived seedlings [26, 27]. In rainfed areas, absence of shower at seedling establishment stage critically reduces field emergence [28, 29].

#### *2.1.2 Growth phase affected by drought*

Water shortage at vegetative stage disturbs growth and development through impaired turgor and stomatal conductance [30]. The reduction of water potential inside cytosol increases solute level. This leads to damage of cell structure and functioning. Cell division and expansion is also inhibited [31]. Under drought stress, nutrient uptake is also exaggerated that primes to reduction in leaf area and photosynthesis [32, 33]. Several traits of crops that are affected by drought at vegetative

**179**

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops*

Root length and dry weight of leaves and stem is also reduced [36].

stage include leaf area, assimilation rate, total dry matter and chlorophyll [34, 35].

The loss of crop yield due to drought stress is decided by many factors like intensity, duration and ability of crop to tolerate drought stress. In higher plants, anthesis is the most drought susceptible stage [37]. Water shortage at that stage can

In oilseed crops, almost all yield related traits are affected by drought [38–40].

Among oilseed crops, sunflower has significant importance because it is rich in linoleic acid. Drought stress at reproductive stage reduces oil quality in oilseed crops and deteriorates its texture [45]. Drought stress also reduces quality of end products. It disturbs biochemical enzymes [46] and gene regulation that are

Crops are responsive to abiotic stresses from molecular to morphological level.

The key phenotypic adoption in drought tolerant crops is tap root system. They can extract water from deeper soil layer even under severe environment. Those plants that have shallow root system, when subjected to drought, it affects their water potential inside cell [57]. The low water potential leads to turgor loss and interrupted stomatal conductance [36, 41]. Transport of nutrients through xylem is

The metabolic process of carbon fixation that occurs in leaves in the presence of light is called as photosynthesis. This is the main energy harvesting phenomenon that is accountable for growth and development. It is affected by different environmental factors like, availability of moisture, sunshine, humidity and

The plants that have C4 carbon fixation pathway are more efficient in carbon harvesting [61], but under drought, they perform in the same way as C3 plants. Stomatal closure is triggered by water deficit condition that eventually restricts CO2 diffusion [62], thus diminishes photosynthesis [36]. Ribulose bisphosphate is a vital enzyme in carbon fixation. The activity of RuBP is affected under drought stress. Those crops that can maintain RuBP production are more resistant to

Those crops that are tolerant to drought stress modify their cells at molecular level like increasing concentration of osmolytes in cytosol under harsh environment [48–52]. However, in susceptible crops, drought can affect at biochemical

Severity of drought is also an important aspect; it distresses all growth stages regardless of crop, eventually results in considerable yield loss [41–44].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

*2.1.3 Effect of drought on crop yield*

results in substantial yield loss [30].

*2.1.4 Effect of drought on crop quality*

level [53–56].

*2.2.1 Water relation disturbance*

concerned under drought [58, 59].

*2.2.2 Photosynthesis reduction*

temperature [60].

drought stress [63–68].

responsible for oil constituents in sunflower [47].

**2.2 Effect of drought on physio-biochemical traits**

stage include leaf area, assimilation rate, total dry matter and chlorophyll [34, 35]. Root length and dry weight of leaves and stem is also reduced [36].

#### *2.1.3 Effect of drought on crop yield*

*Abiotic Stress in Plants*

**2. Effect of drought stress in crops**

climatic challenges [9, 16–18] but more is still to be done.

occurring due to disturbed rainfall pattern [21, 22].

crops likewise and can cause significant yield loss [24].

**2.1 Impact of drought on morphological traits**

*2.1.1 Effect of drought on seedling emergence*

*2.1.2 Growth phase affected by drought*

70% till the year 2050 [9–12].

capability to attain and retain water in large amount, as well as better water usage efficiency, are more tolerant to drought stress. Response in the direction of water stress depends upon crop growth stage, intensity and severity of drought [5, 6]. There are many reports available previously that addresses the consequences of drought on different physiological parameters like photosynthesis, respiration, homeostasis and assimilates transportation but very few discourses the drought effects on mineral in crops. Albeit, if crops are grown on mineral-rich soils, water limitations can be the reason of disruption in nutrient uptake. Minerals are taken up by plants in inorganic ionic forms. When a plant is subject to drought, due to low soil moisture, the

diffusion of minerals is disrupted and ultimately transport is affected [3, 7, 8].

Field crops are simultaneously subjected to more than one abiotic stress during their complete life cycle. Drought and high temperature are the most detrimental abiotic stresses. It is continuous task for scientists to make crops hardy against biotic and more importantly abiotic stresses to increase food productivity. The simulation model predicts that to cope with rising food demand, supply must be increased to

Drought stress influences crops by disturbing their physiological and biochemical functioning [13–16]. Previously, work is done making crops vigorous to deal with

Early droughts due to changing climate can reduce crop productivity [19]. The struggle of water use among domestic, industrial and agricultural sector is making situation worse for irrigated agriculture [20]. This problematic situation is shifting agriculture from irrigated to rainfed areas where periodic drought events are

Crops when subjected to drought stress show different behavior. Some crops are resistant to drought while others are susceptible [23]. Those crops that have taproot system are more tolerant to short term drought events. They can stand with mild to moderate drought condition. On the other hand, prolonged drought can affect all

Seed germination is the most critical stage in complete life cycle; it is influenced by water availability for imbibition [25]. Drought stress at this stage can results in irregular germination and deprived seedlings [26, 27]. In rainfed areas, absence of shower at seedling establishment stage critically reduces field emergence [28, 29].

Water shortage at vegetative stage disturbs growth and development through impaired turgor and stomatal conductance [30]. The reduction of water potential inside cytosol increases solute level. This leads to damage of cell structure and functioning. Cell division and expansion is also inhibited [31]. Under drought stress, nutrient uptake is also exaggerated that primes to reduction in leaf area and photosynthesis [32, 33]. Several traits of crops that are affected by drought at vegetative

**178**

The loss of crop yield due to drought stress is decided by many factors like intensity, duration and ability of crop to tolerate drought stress. In higher plants, anthesis is the most drought susceptible stage [37]. Water shortage at that stage can results in substantial yield loss [30].

In oilseed crops, almost all yield related traits are affected by drought [38–40]. Severity of drought is also an important aspect; it distresses all growth stages regardless of crop, eventually results in considerable yield loss [41–44].

#### *2.1.4 Effect of drought on crop quality*

Among oilseed crops, sunflower has significant importance because it is rich in linoleic acid. Drought stress at reproductive stage reduces oil quality in oilseed crops and deteriorates its texture [45]. Drought stress also reduces quality of end products. It disturbs biochemical enzymes [46] and gene regulation that are responsible for oil constituents in sunflower [47].

#### **2.2 Effect of drought on physio-biochemical traits**

Crops are responsive to abiotic stresses from molecular to morphological level. Those crops that are tolerant to drought stress modify their cells at molecular level like increasing concentration of osmolytes in cytosol under harsh environment [48–52]. However, in susceptible crops, drought can affect at biochemical level [53–56].

#### *2.2.1 Water relation disturbance*

The key phenotypic adoption in drought tolerant crops is tap root system. They can extract water from deeper soil layer even under severe environment. Those plants that have shallow root system, when subjected to drought, it affects their water potential inside cell [57]. The low water potential leads to turgor loss and interrupted stomatal conductance [36, 41]. Transport of nutrients through xylem is concerned under drought [58, 59].

#### *2.2.2 Photosynthesis reduction*

The metabolic process of carbon fixation that occurs in leaves in the presence of light is called as photosynthesis. This is the main energy harvesting phenomenon that is accountable for growth and development. It is affected by different environmental factors like, availability of moisture, sunshine, humidity and temperature [60].

The plants that have C4 carbon fixation pathway are more efficient in carbon harvesting [61], but under drought, they perform in the same way as C3 plants. Stomatal closure is triggered by water deficit condition that eventually restricts CO2 diffusion [62], thus diminishes photosynthesis [36]. Ribulose bisphosphate is a vital enzyme in carbon fixation. The activity of RuBP is affected under drought stress. Those crops that can maintain RuBP production are more resistant to drought stress [63–68].

#### *2.2.3 Disrupted uptake of nutrients*

Under drought, absorption capacity of roots is affected that condenses nutrient uptake. Nitrogen, being a vital constituent of plants, is required in high quantity. The reduction of soil moisture reduces ability of roots to absorb adequate moisture. Phosphorus uptake, transport and translocation are also affected in drought conditions [6]. It lessens NPK uptake in sunflower [41].

#### *2.2.4 Drought induced oxidative stress*

Free radicals of oxygen, that are also known as reactive oxygen species has significant role in cell signaling. Their production remains continue unceasingly inside cell in controlled amount. When a plant is subjected to any environmental stress, its production increases. This augmented concentration induces oxidative stress to crops. They are highly reactive in action; they can cause injury to cellular structure [69]. In oilseeds like sunflower, drought overproduces ROS [70]. Malondialdehyde is an indicator of cell membrane damage in plants. Water deficiency increases MDA production that specifies increment in cellular injury [71–73].

#### **3. Role of nutrients in drought stress alleviation**

Optimum nutrient supply not only improves growth of crops but is also helpful for plants under adversative climatic conditions. There are seventeen nutrients that are crucial for plant growth [74]. Upon their requirement, these are grouped as macronutrient and micronutrient. This review deals with role of essential nutrients in drought stress mitigation.

#### **3.1 Macronutrients**

#### *3.1.1 Nitrogen*

Under dry climatic conditions, water use efficiency and growth of crops is restricted due to less accessibility of water. Efficient nitrogen application can serve the purpose under drought stress [75, 76]. Plants facing drought stress are more susceptible to heat tremors as well. Nitrogen deficiency in drought stress outcomes as biomass reduction in crops [77, 78]. Previous studies have suggested that shoot biomass is more affected under drought-cum-nitrogen stress, while root biomass is not much exaggerated primarily [79]. On the other hand, plants become drought hardy under sufficient soil nitrogen availability [75, 80, 81]. Increasing nitrogen significantly improved crop performance under drought stress. Nitrogen also play significant role in prevention of plasma membrane damage and osmotic adjustment. Application of N under water deficiency also enhances other major nutrient uptake like potassium and calcium [82].

Nitrogen availability diminishes malondialdehyde content that alleviates in drought stress [80]. It recovers photosynthetic contents and improves cell division that lead to leaf area increment [83]. At molecular level, drought stress greatly influences photosystem-II efficiency that is recovered by optimum nitrogen accessibility [51, 84–93].

#### *3.1.2 Phosphorus*

Previously, many researchers have testified that phosphorus application under water deficiency in many crops significantly enhance their water usage ability and

**181**

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops*

that phosphorus has contribution in drought tolerance [94, 96].

with aquaporins activity and stem cell expansion [112].

cation and promotes photosynthesis process [114, 115].

helps in drought resistance [74, 94, 95]. It is also well known that optimum phosphorus in crops improves root growth and stomatal activity [96, 97]. Phosphorus availability also optimizes leaf area [98], plasma membrane stability and water use efficiency [99–102]. It was observed that phosphorus in leaves was relatively higher under drought condition as compared to optimum water availability which suggests

Phosphorus also improves nitrogen mobility under water deficiency [103]. Morphological and physiological parameters were also improved when phosphorus was applied at high rate in drought such as, plant height, leaf area, dry weight and water use efficiency [102, 104]. Application method of phosphorus also influences crop growth in drought, deep phosphorus placement (DPP) method works excellently for drought affected areas that ultimately promotes root growth [101, 105].

Potassium is well-known for its osmoregulatory functions in crops. It regulates

stomatal conductance and water uptake; the optimum K application increases WUE [106, 107]. Potassium soothes aquaporins and osmotic pressure that regulates water uptake, stomatal regulation, carbon intake, cell elongation and ROS detoxification [108, 109]. In grasses like sorghum, K application under drought improves photosynthesis which leads to growth and yield [106, 110]. In maize, potassium plays role photosynthates assimilation [111]. Potassium availability is correlated

The hydraulic conductivity of root and anatomical traits has great influence on crop performance. The increment in hydraulic conductivity is associated with drought tolerance [113]. In higher plants, reduction in K influences aforementioned traits, hence compromised yield. Drought simulates ethylene production that in return hinders abscisic acid activity. The starvation of K further worsen the situation, it delays stomatal conductance [109]. Potassium also play role in ROS detoxifi-

Magnesium has central place in chlorophyll molecule, thus has significant importance. It has great role in dry matter partitioning from sink to source. Passable Mg is required at reproductive stage to avoid flower sterility. Foliage application also improves nutrient mobility and helps in growth maintenance under stressful environment [116, 117]. Magnesium is highly mobile nutrient. It has positive correlation with nitrogen and potassium. Adequate magnesium increases their mobility; they

Drought stress in field crops affects magnesium uptake from soil. This deficiency can be fulfilled by foliar Mg application [119]. Earlier, it is known that foliage applied Mg can satisfy plant's need [120]. The mechanisms of Mg that are responsible for drought stress induction include growth of root, NPK uptake and

Drought stress leads to overgeneration of ROS that result in cell damage [121–124]. Calcium has its role in detoxification of ROS [125]. It is known that in the activity of aquaporins, pH and calcium are of significance importance [126, 127]. Exogenous application of Ca induces drought resistance in wheat cultivars. Calcium

has cell signaling mechanism, which simulates proline accumulation.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

*3.1.3 Potassium*

*3.1.4 Magnesium*

are helpful in stress tolerance [118].

improvement of WUE [74].

*3.1.5 Calcium*

#### *Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

helps in drought resistance [74, 94, 95]. It is also well known that optimum phosphorus in crops improves root growth and stomatal activity [96, 97]. Phosphorus availability also optimizes leaf area [98], plasma membrane stability and water use efficiency [99–102]. It was observed that phosphorus in leaves was relatively higher under drought condition as compared to optimum water availability which suggests that phosphorus has contribution in drought tolerance [94, 96].

Phosphorus also improves nitrogen mobility under water deficiency [103]. Morphological and physiological parameters were also improved when phosphorus was applied at high rate in drought such as, plant height, leaf area, dry weight and water use efficiency [102, 104]. Application method of phosphorus also influences crop growth in drought, deep phosphorus placement (DPP) method works excellently for drought affected areas that ultimately promotes root growth [101, 105].

#### *3.1.3 Potassium*

*Abiotic Stress in Plants*

*2.2.3 Disrupted uptake of nutrients*

*2.2.4 Drought induced oxidative stress*

in drought stress mitigation.

**3.1 Macronutrients**

accessibility [51, 84–93].

*3.1.2 Phosphorus*

*3.1.1 Nitrogen*

conditions [6]. It lessens NPK uptake in sunflower [41].

production that specifies increment in cellular injury [71–73].

**3. Role of nutrients in drought stress alleviation**

Under drought, absorption capacity of roots is affected that condenses nutrient uptake. Nitrogen, being a vital constituent of plants, is required in high quantity. The reduction of soil moisture reduces ability of roots to absorb adequate moisture. Phosphorus uptake, transport and translocation are also affected in drought

Free radicals of oxygen, that are also known as reactive oxygen species has significant role in cell signaling. Their production remains continue unceasingly inside cell in controlled amount. When a plant is subjected to any environmental stress, its production increases. This augmented concentration induces oxidative stress to crops. They are highly reactive in action; they can cause injury to cellular structure [69]. In oilseeds like sunflower, drought overproduces ROS [70]. Malondialdehyde is an indicator of cell membrane damage in plants. Water deficiency increases MDA

Optimum nutrient supply not only improves growth of crops but is also helpful for plants under adversative climatic conditions. There are seventeen nutrients that are crucial for plant growth [74]. Upon their requirement, these are grouped as macronutrient and micronutrient. This review deals with role of essential nutrients

Under dry climatic conditions, water use efficiency and growth of crops is restricted due to less accessibility of water. Efficient nitrogen application can serve the purpose under drought stress [75, 76]. Plants facing drought stress are more susceptible to heat tremors as well. Nitrogen deficiency in drought stress outcomes as biomass reduction in crops [77, 78]. Previous studies have suggested that shoot biomass is more affected under drought-cum-nitrogen stress, while root biomass is not much exaggerated primarily [79]. On the other hand, plants become drought hardy under sufficient soil nitrogen availability [75, 80, 81]. Increasing nitrogen significantly improved crop performance under drought stress. Nitrogen also play significant role in prevention of plasma membrane damage and osmotic adjustment. Application of N under water deficiency also enhances other major nutrient uptake like potassium and calcium [82]. Nitrogen availability diminishes malondialdehyde content that alleviates in drought stress [80]. It recovers photosynthetic contents and improves cell division that lead to leaf area increment [83]. At molecular level, drought stress greatly influences photosystem-II efficiency that is recovered by optimum nitrogen

Previously, many researchers have testified that phosphorus application under water deficiency in many crops significantly enhance their water usage ability and

**180**

Potassium is well-known for its osmoregulatory functions in crops. It regulates stomatal conductance and water uptake; the optimum K application increases WUE [106, 107]. Potassium soothes aquaporins and osmotic pressure that regulates water uptake, stomatal regulation, carbon intake, cell elongation and ROS detoxification [108, 109]. In grasses like sorghum, K application under drought improves photosynthesis which leads to growth and yield [106, 110]. In maize, potassium plays role photosynthates assimilation [111]. Potassium availability is correlated with aquaporins activity and stem cell expansion [112].

The hydraulic conductivity of root and anatomical traits has great influence on crop performance. The increment in hydraulic conductivity is associated with drought tolerance [113]. In higher plants, reduction in K influences aforementioned traits, hence compromised yield. Drought simulates ethylene production that in return hinders abscisic acid activity. The starvation of K further worsen the situation, it delays stomatal conductance [109]. Potassium also play role in ROS detoxification and promotes photosynthesis process [114, 115].

#### *3.1.4 Magnesium*

Magnesium has central place in chlorophyll molecule, thus has significant importance. It has great role in dry matter partitioning from sink to source. Passable Mg is required at reproductive stage to avoid flower sterility. Foliage application also improves nutrient mobility and helps in growth maintenance under stressful environment [116, 117]. Magnesium is highly mobile nutrient. It has positive correlation with nitrogen and potassium. Adequate magnesium increases their mobility; they are helpful in stress tolerance [118].

Drought stress in field crops affects magnesium uptake from soil. This deficiency can be fulfilled by foliar Mg application [119]. Earlier, it is known that foliage applied Mg can satisfy plant's need [120]. The mechanisms of Mg that are responsible for drought stress induction include growth of root, NPK uptake and improvement of WUE [74].

#### *3.1.5 Calcium*

Drought stress leads to overgeneration of ROS that result in cell damage [121–124]. Calcium has its role in detoxification of ROS [125]. It is known that in the activity of aquaporins, pH and calcium are of significance importance [126, 127]. Exogenous application of Ca induces drought resistance in wheat cultivars. Calcium has cell signaling mechanism, which simulates proline accumulation.

Calcium, when it is applied under drought stress, it improves chlorophyll and catalase activity and decreases plasma membrane damage. It also maintains osmolytes like proline and other soluble antioxidants [128, 129]. Foliage applied Ca under drought stress helps to improves drought stress alleviation by refining catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity [130].

#### *3.1.6 Sulfur*

The role of sulfur application in mitigation of drought stress is very little known previously. It has a substantial role in stress signaling pathway. It improves crop growth, morphological parameters and nutrient contents [131]. In counter stress mechanism, increment in glutathione also has significant importance. It aids in ROS detoxification [132]. The uptake of sulfur in adequate amount helps crops to stand with drought events. Its transport and assimilation is among one of the drought stress responses [133, 134].

#### **3.2 Micronutrients**

#### *3.2.1 Zinc*

Zinc has role in various physiological processes like activity of catalytic, carboxypeptidase, superoxide dismutase, RNA polymerase and alkaline phosphates [4, 118, 135, 136]. Under water shortage, zinc has been known to improve drought resistance by improving WUE and water activity [4, 137, 138]. The reduction in zinc uptake, that is caused by water shortage, leads plants toward stress condition. Under limited soil moisture, zinc is immobile [118].

In cereals like wheat, when drought is subjected at anthesis and grain filling, it constrains nutrient uptake which become cause of stunted growth [139]. The process of photosynthesis and water activity is affected under zinc-cum-drought stress, however, when zinc is present in optimum amount, it helps crop to stand with drought. It aids in deactivation of ROS [4, 140]. At reproductive stage, plants are highly susceptible to Zn shortage [141]. When plants are subjected to prolonged drought, it impairs activity of different cell metabolic contents like NADPH. Zinc application inhibits photooxidative damage, reduces ROS generation, and promoting osmolytes concentration like SOD [74, 142–145].

#### *3.2.2 Manganese*

It is vital micronutrient that has several functions in plants. It assists in activation of various metabolic enzymes of tricarboxylic cycle. It is the part of photosystem-II, also aids in ATP synthesis and RuBP carboxylase activity. It helps to maintain balance among superoxide dismutase activity and chlorophyll contents, even under water stress [130].

The role of manganese is well known for detoxification of ROS like superoxide and hydrogen peroxide [146]. On the other hand, manganese shortage leads to oxidative stress in plants that causes chlorophyll damage thus stunted photosynthetic activity [4]. Water shortage can also be responsible for manganese deficiency. Low soil availability of manganese as it occurs under dry conditions makes it unavailable for plants [147]. The starvation of manganese leads to WUE reduction. In cereals like barley, lower WUE is correlated with abrupt stomatal control during the day and imperfection in stomatal closure during night. This leads to degradation of waxy layer of plasma membrane that is consequence of ROS activity [148].

**183**

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops*

It is involved in chlorophyll pigments production. It is the part of enzymes that are involved in transfer of energy, reduction of nitrogen and formation of lignin. It creates compounds along with sulfur that are the catalysts for other vital biochemical procedures in plants. The iron deficiency results in chlorosis which is the consequent of low chlorophyll concentration. Severe deficiency of iron turns leaf color from yellow to white that is sign of leaf death. Under high soil pH, iron uptake is affected. It also has antagonistic effects with phosphorus and manganese [149]. The moisture in soil greatly inhibits iron uptake [150]. The iron has vital protagonist in oxidative damage protection of leaves under stress. Its deficiency is highly dreadful for plants growth [4]. Sufficient iron amount in plant is essential for

Boron is unavailable in soil barring basic pH and low moisture. It is highly immobile in pedosphere as well as plant. The continuous supply of boron can

Low soil moisture greatly hampers boron uptake from rhizosphere. Its uptake via roots involve passive uptake frequently that is maintained by water uptake. As the water decreases in soil, its uptake is compromised [153]. Main function of boron is to take part in synthesis of cell wall and its extension. It also recovers biosynthesis of lignin and differentiation of xylem. It increases photosynthetic activity and plasma-membrane integrity. It facilitates assimilate transportation [4, 74].

It is necessarily required for H-ATPase activity and the coding involved for it. It also influences uptake of other nutrients like K and deteriorate cell expansion [4]. Boron is also involved in lessening of photochemical damage of cell. Among reasons

for low photoinhibition, boron deficiency and drought are well known [153].

Among micronutrients, copper is essential for growth of plants. It has vital role in electron transport chain and cell wall loosening. It also involves in sensing ethylene, metabolism of cell wall and oxidative stress protection [154, 155]. The well-known function of copper is its involvement in formation of pollens and

There are many enzymes in which this metal acts as cofactor like ascorbic oxidase, laccase, amino oxidase and polyphenols. At molecular level, copper is also involved in cell signaling, trafficking of proteins, mobilization of iron and oxidative phosphorylation. The reproductive parts of plants are more susceptible to cooper

The changing climate is making situation worse for field crop production. Abrupt variations in rainfall and temperature is limiting crop yield. Under field condition, more than one abiotic stresses are disturbing plant growth simultaneously. Drought stress is among the major agricultural yield limiting factor worldwide. Different agronomic practices like optimum plant nutrition management are greatly obliging for crops under drought stress. It can alleviate drought consequences affectively. Drought stress greatly inhibits different physiological functions and

prevent crops from its deficiency and detrimental effects [152].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

activities of antioxidants [151].

*3.2.3 Iron*

*3.2.4 Boron*

*3.2.5 Copper*

upholding their viability [4, 155].

deficiency [155, 156].

**4. Conclusion**

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

#### *3.2.3 Iron*

*Abiotic Stress in Plants*

*3.1.6 Sulfur*

superoxide dismutase activity [130].

stress responses [133, 134].

**3.2 Micronutrients**

*3.2.2 Manganese*

even under water stress [130].

*3.2.1 Zinc*

Calcium, when it is applied under drought stress, it improves chlorophyll and catalase activity and decreases plasma membrane damage. It also maintains osmolytes like proline and other soluble antioxidants [128, 129]. Foliage applied Ca under drought stress helps to improves drought stress alleviation by refining catalase, peroxidase and

The role of sulfur application in mitigation of drought stress is very little known previously. It has a substantial role in stress signaling pathway. It improves crop growth, morphological parameters and nutrient contents [131]. In counter stress mechanism, increment in glutathione also has significant importance. It aids in ROS detoxification [132]. The uptake of sulfur in adequate amount helps crops to stand with drought events. Its transport and assimilation is among one of the drought

Zinc has role in various physiological processes like activity of catalytic, carboxypeptidase, superoxide dismutase, RNA polymerase and alkaline phosphates [4, 118, 135, 136]. Under water shortage, zinc has been known to improve drought resistance by improving WUE and water activity [4, 137, 138]. The reduction in zinc uptake, that is caused by water shortage, leads plants toward stress condition.

In cereals like wheat, when drought is subjected at anthesis and grain filling, it constrains nutrient uptake which become cause of stunted growth [139]. The process of photosynthesis and water activity is affected under zinc-cum-drought stress, however, when zinc is present in optimum amount, it helps crop to stand with drought. It aids in deactivation of ROS [4, 140]. At reproductive stage, plants are highly susceptible to Zn shortage [141]. When plants are subjected to prolonged drought, it impairs activity of different cell metabolic contents like NADPH. Zinc application inhibits photooxidative damage, reduces ROS genera-

tion, and promoting osmolytes concentration like SOD [74, 142–145].

It is vital micronutrient that has several functions in plants. It assists in activation of various metabolic enzymes of tricarboxylic cycle. It is the part of photosystem-II, also aids in ATP synthesis and RuBP carboxylase activity. It helps to maintain balance among superoxide dismutase activity and chlorophyll contents,

and hydrogen peroxide [146]. On the other hand, manganese shortage leads to oxidative stress in plants that causes chlorophyll damage thus stunted photosynthetic activity [4]. Water shortage can also be responsible for manganese deficiency. Low soil availability of manganese as it occurs under dry conditions makes it unavailable for plants [147]. The starvation of manganese leads to WUE reduction. In cereals like barley, lower WUE is correlated with abrupt stomatal control during the day and imperfection in stomatal closure during night. This leads to degradation of waxy layer of plasma membrane that is consequence of

The role of manganese is well known for detoxification of ROS like superoxide

Under limited soil moisture, zinc is immobile [118].

**182**

ROS activity [148].

It is involved in chlorophyll pigments production. It is the part of enzymes that are involved in transfer of energy, reduction of nitrogen and formation of lignin. It creates compounds along with sulfur that are the catalysts for other vital biochemical procedures in plants. The iron deficiency results in chlorosis which is the consequent of low chlorophyll concentration. Severe deficiency of iron turns leaf color from yellow to white that is sign of leaf death. Under high soil pH, iron uptake is affected. It also has antagonistic effects with phosphorus and manganese [149].

The moisture in soil greatly inhibits iron uptake [150]. The iron has vital protagonist in oxidative damage protection of leaves under stress. Its deficiency is highly dreadful for plants growth [4]. Sufficient iron amount in plant is essential for activities of antioxidants [151].

#### *3.2.4 Boron*

Boron is unavailable in soil barring basic pH and low moisture. It is highly immobile in pedosphere as well as plant. The continuous supply of boron can prevent crops from its deficiency and detrimental effects [152].

Low soil moisture greatly hampers boron uptake from rhizosphere. Its uptake via roots involve passive uptake frequently that is maintained by water uptake. As the water decreases in soil, its uptake is compromised [153]. Main function of boron is to take part in synthesis of cell wall and its extension. It also recovers biosynthesis of lignin and differentiation of xylem. It increases photosynthetic activity and plasma-membrane integrity. It facilitates assimilate transportation [4, 74].

It is necessarily required for H-ATPase activity and the coding involved for it. It also influences uptake of other nutrients like K and deteriorate cell expansion [4]. Boron is also involved in lessening of photochemical damage of cell. Among reasons for low photoinhibition, boron deficiency and drought are well known [153].

#### *3.2.5 Copper*

Among micronutrients, copper is essential for growth of plants. It has vital role in electron transport chain and cell wall loosening. It also involves in sensing ethylene, metabolism of cell wall and oxidative stress protection [154, 155]. The well-known function of copper is its involvement in formation of pollens and upholding their viability [4, 155].

There are many enzymes in which this metal acts as cofactor like ascorbic oxidase, laccase, amino oxidase and polyphenols. At molecular level, copper is also involved in cell signaling, trafficking of proteins, mobilization of iron and oxidative phosphorylation. The reproductive parts of plants are more susceptible to cooper deficiency [155, 156].

#### **4. Conclusion**

The changing climate is making situation worse for field crop production. Abrupt variations in rainfall and temperature is limiting crop yield. Under field condition, more than one abiotic stresses are disturbing plant growth simultaneously. Drought stress is among the major agricultural yield limiting factor worldwide. Different agronomic practices like optimum plant nutrition management are greatly obliging for crops under drought stress. It can alleviate drought consequences affectively. Drought stress greatly inhibits different physiological functions and

#### *Abiotic Stress in Plants*

biochemical processes. It leads to ROS over-generation that significantly damages cell structure. Optimal nutrients supply like NPK and Ca be accommodating for ROS detoxification and maintenance of cell functions. Under drought stress, they also facilitate in antioxidant generation like catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. They inhibit photooxidation of vital cell molecules and maintain cell membrane integrity. Likewise, micronutrients such as Zn and Mg also play role in antioxidant generation. Other mechanisms that are maintained by nutrients to induce drought stress are water uptake and stomatal conduction regulation. Optimum supply of K and Ca helps to regulate water activity and aquaporin function. In a nutshell, efficient nutrient management will be helpful in mitigation of drought stress in field crops. The best practice should be adopted to increase their availability to plants. Effective nutrient utilization cultivars need to be focused on.

#### **Author details**

Malik Ghulam Asghar1 \* and Anam Bashir2

1 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

2 Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

\*Address all correspondence to: gh.asghar@hotmail.com

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

**185**

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops*

Environmental Pollution of Paddy Soils 2018. pp. 113-124. Springer, Cham.

[9] Wani SH, Sah SK. Biotechnology and abiotic stress tolerance in rice. Journal of Rice Research. 2014;2(2):100e105. DOI:

[10] Fahad S, Ihsan MZ, Khaliq A, Daur I, Saud S, Alzamanan S, Nasim W, Abdullah M, Khan IA, Wu C, Wang D. Consequences of high temperature under changing climate optima for rice pollen characteristics-

concepts and perspectives. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 2018;64(11):1473-88.DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2018.1443213

[11] Gul F, Ahmed I, Ashfaq M,

model to simulate the impact of climate change on yield of various wheat cultivars under different agroenvironmental conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 2020;13(3):112.

DOI: 10.1007/s12517-020-5118-1

[12] ur Rahman MH, Ahmad A, Wajid A, Hussain M, Rasul F, Ishaque W, Islam MA, Shelia V,

[13] Robert GA, Rajasekar M, Manivannan P. Triazole-induced drought stress amelioration on growth, yield, and pigments composition of *Helianthus annuus* L. (sunflower). International Multidisciplinary Research Journal. 2015;5:6-15.

[14] Ibrahim MF, Faisal A, Shehata SA. Calcium chloride alleviates water

fcr.2017.07.007

Awais M, Ullah A, Wahid A. Application of CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model for cultivars and optimum planting dates: evaluation in changing semiarid climate. Field Crops Research. 2019;238:139-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.

Jan D, Fahad S, Li X, Wang D, Fahad M, Fayyaz M, Shah SA. Use of crop growth

10.4172/jrr.1000e105

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

[1] Ramegowda V, Senthil-Kumar M. The interactive effects of simultaneous biotic and abiotic stresses on plants: mechanistic understanding from drought and pathogen combination. Journal of plant physiology. 2015;176:47- 54. DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2014.11.008

[2] Swift J, Adame M, Tranchina D, Henry A, Coruzzi GM. Water impacts nutrient dose responses genome-wide to affect crop production. Nature communications. 2019;10(1):1-9. DOI:

10.1038/s41467-019-09287-7

[4] Hajiboland R. Effect of

2011;5(1):32-41.

978-1-4614-0634-1

10.1093/aob/mcg079

[3] da Silva EC, Nogueira RJ, da

Silva MA, de Albuquerque MB. Drought stress and plant nutrition. Plant stress.

micronutrient deficiencies on plants stress responses. In: Abiotic stress responses in plants 2012. pp. 283- 329. Springer, New York, NY. ISBN

[5] Laxa M, Liebthal M, Telman W, Chibani K, Dietz KJ. The role of the plant antioxidant system in drought tolerance. Antioxidants. 2019;8(4):94.

[6] Taiz L, Zeiger E. Plant Physiology. Sinauer Associates. Inc., Publishers. 2010. pp. 782. Sunderland, MA. DOI:

[7] Akram R, Turan V, Hammad HM, Ahmad S, Hussain S, Hasnain A, Maqbool MM, Rehmani MI, Rasool A, Masood N, Mahmood F. Fate of organic and inorganic pollutants in paddy soils. In: Environmental pollution of paddy soils 2018. pp. 197-214. Springer, Cham.

[8] Akram R, Turan V, Wahid A,

Ijaz M, Shahid MA, Kaleem S, Hafeez A, Maqbool MM, Chaudhary HJ, Munis MF, Mubeen M. Paddy land pollutants and their role in climate change. In:

DOI: 10.3390/antiox8040094

**References**

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

#### **References**

*Abiotic Stress in Plants*

**184**

**Author details**

Malik Ghulam Asghar1

\* and Anam Bashir2

Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

provided the original work is properly cited.

\*Address all correspondence to: gh.asghar@hotmail.com

1 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology,

biochemical processes. It leads to ROS over-generation that significantly damages cell structure. Optimal nutrients supply like NPK and Ca be accommodating for ROS detoxification and maintenance of cell functions. Under drought stress, they also facilitate in antioxidant generation like catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. They inhibit photooxidation of vital cell molecules and maintain cell membrane integrity. Likewise, micronutrients such as Zn and Mg also play role in antioxidant generation. Other mechanisms that are maintained by nutrients to induce drought stress are water uptake and stomatal conduction regulation. Optimum supply of K and Ca helps to regulate water activity and aquaporin function. In a nutshell, efficient nutrient management will be helpful in mitigation of drought stress in field crops. The best practice should be adopted to increase their availability to plants. Effective nutrient utilization cultivars need to be focused on.

2 Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

[1] Ramegowda V, Senthil-Kumar M. The interactive effects of simultaneous biotic and abiotic stresses on plants: mechanistic understanding from drought and pathogen combination. Journal of plant physiology. 2015;176:47- 54. DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2014.11.008

[2] Swift J, Adame M, Tranchina D, Henry A, Coruzzi GM. Water impacts nutrient dose responses genome-wide to affect crop production. Nature communications. 2019;10(1):1-9. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09287-7

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[6] Taiz L, Zeiger E. Plant Physiology. Sinauer Associates. Inc., Publishers. 2010. pp. 782. Sunderland, MA. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcg079

[7] Akram R, Turan V, Hammad HM, Ahmad S, Hussain S, Hasnain A, Maqbool MM, Rehmani MI, Rasool A, Masood N, Mahmood F. Fate of organic and inorganic pollutants in paddy soils. In: Environmental pollution of paddy soils 2018. pp. 197-214. Springer, Cham.

[8] Akram R, Turan V, Wahid A, Ijaz M, Shahid MA, Kaleem S, Hafeez A, Maqbool MM, Chaudhary HJ, Munis MF, Mubeen M. Paddy land pollutants and their role in climate change. In:

Environmental Pollution of Paddy Soils 2018. pp. 113-124. Springer, Cham.

[9] Wani SH, Sah SK. Biotechnology and abiotic stress tolerance in rice. Journal of Rice Research. 2014;2(2):100e105. DOI: 10.4172/jrr.1000e105

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[11] Gul F, Ahmed I, Ashfaq M, Jan D, Fahad S, Li X, Wang D, Fahad M, Fayyaz M, Shah SA. Use of crop growth model to simulate the impact of climate change on yield of various wheat cultivars under different agroenvironmental conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 2020;13(3):112. DOI: 10.1007/s12517-020-5118-1

[12] ur Rahman MH, Ahmad A, Wajid A, Hussain M, Rasul F, Ishaque W, Islam MA, Shelia V, Awais M, Ullah A, Wahid A. Application of CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model for cultivars and optimum planting dates: evaluation in changing semiarid climate. Field Crops Research. 2019;238:139-52. DOI: 10.1016/j. fcr.2017.07.007

[13] Robert GA, Rajasekar M, Manivannan P. Triazole-induced drought stress amelioration on growth, yield, and pigments composition of *Helianthus annuus* L. (sunflower). International Multidisciplinary Research Journal. 2015;5:6-15.

[14] Ibrahim MF, Faisal A, Shehata SA. Calcium chloride alleviates water

stress in sunflower plants through modifying some physio-biochemical parameters. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science. 2016;16(4):677-693. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2016.16.4.12907

[15] Hasanuzzaman M, Nahar K, Alam M, Roychowdhury R, Fujita M. Physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of heat stress tolerance in plants. International journal of molecular sciences. 2013;14(5):9643-9684. DOI: 10.3390/ ijms14059643

[16] Hasanuzzaman M, Nahar K, Fujita M. Plant response to salt stress and role of exogenous protectants to mitigate salt-induced damages. In: Ecophysiology and responses of plants under salt stress 2013. pp. 25-87. Springer, New York, NY. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4747-4\_2

[17] Manivannan P, Rabert GA, Rajasekar M, Somasundaram R. Drought stress induced modification on growth and Pigments composition in different genotypes of *Helianthus annuus* L. Current Botany. 2014;5:7-13.

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[19] Debaeke P, Bedoussac L, Bonnet C, Bret-Mestries E, Seassau C, Gavaland A, Raffaillac D, Tribouillois H, Véricel G, Justes E. Sunflower crop: environmental-friendly and agroecological. Oilseeds & fats crops and Lipids. 2017;24(3):D304. DOI: 0.1051/ocl/2017020

[20] Alexandratos N, Bruinsma J. World agriculture towards 2030/2050: the 2012 revision. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. ESA Working

paper; 2012;12(3):1-12. DOI: 10.22004/ ag.econ.288998

[21] Elliott J, Deryng D, Müller C, Frieler K, Konzmann M, Gerten D, Glotter M, Flörke M, Wada Y, Best N, Eisner S. Constraints and potentials of future irrigation water availability on agricultural production under climate change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2014;111(9):3239- 3244. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1222474110

[22] Farooq M, Hussain M, Siddique KH. Drought stress in wheat during flowering and grain-filling periods. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 2014;33(4):331-349. DOI: 10.1080/07352689.2014.875291

[23] Hussain S, Ahmad M, Ahmad S, Iqbal J, Subhani MN, Nadeem SM, Atta S, Ibrahim M. Improvement of drought tolerance in sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) by foliar application of abscisic acid and potassium chloride. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 2013;12(4):345. DOI: 10.3923/ pjn.2013.345.352

[24] Andrianasolo FN, Casadebaig P, Maza E, Champolivier L, Maury P, Debaeke P. Prediction of sunflower grain oil concentration as a function of variety, crop management and environment using statistical models. European Journal of Agronomy. 2014;54:84-96. DOI: 10.1051/ocl/2016052

[25] Luan Z, Xiao M, Zhou D, Zhang H, Tian Y, Wu Y, Guan B, Song Y. Effects of salinity, temperature, and polyethylene glycol on the seed germination of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.). The Scientific World Journal. 2014;170418:1-9. DOI: 10.1155/2014/170418

[26] Wen B. Effects of high temperature and water stress on seed germination of the invasive species Mexican sunflower. PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0141567. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141567

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drought. Pakistan Journal of Botany. 2010;42(3):2177-2189. **ISSN :** 0556-3321

Ellmer F, Chmielewski FM, Kaynak MA. Determination of the relationship between water use efficiency, carbon isotope discrimination and proline in sunflower genotypes under drought stress. Australian Journal of Crop Science. 2014;8(2):232. ISSN: 1835-2693

[35] Hemmati MH, Soleymani A. A study about drought stress effects on grain yield components of three sunflower cultivars. International journal of advanced biological and biomedical research. 2014; 2(3):564- 572. DOI: JR\_IJABBR-2-3\_002

[36] Ghobadi M, Taherabadi S, Ghobadi ME, Mohammadi GR, Jalali-Honarmand S. Antioxidant capacity, photosynthetic characteristics and water relations of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) cultivars in response to drought stress. Industrial Crops and Products.

2013;50:29-38. DOI: 10.1016/j.

[37] Hussain S, Saleem MF, Iqbal J, Ibrahim M, Ahmad M, Nadeem SM, Ali A, Atta S. Abscisic acid mediated biochemical changes in sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) grown under drought and well-watered field

conditions. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences. 2015;25(2):406-416. ISSN :

[38] Buriro M, Sanjrani AS, Chachar QI, Chachar NA, Chachar SD, Buriro B, Gandahi AW, Mangan T. Effect of water stress on growth and yield of sunflower. Journal of Agricultural Technology. 2015;11(7):1547-1563.

[39] Farzad BA, Mahmoud T, Majid N, Mohamad-Reza S. Effect of drought stress on yield and yield components of some sunflower recombinant inbred lines. International Journal

indcrop.2013.07.009

1018-7081

ISSN 1686-9141

[34] Canavar O, Gotz KP,

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

[27] Farooq M, Hussain M, Wahid A, Siddique KH. Drought stress in plants: an overview. In: Plant responses to drought stress 2012.pp. 1-33. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-32653-0

[28] Kaya MD, Okçu G, Atak M,

10.1016/j.eja.2005.08.001

sst.2003.31.1.21

10.5772/39363

10.2298/HEL1257029F

[29] Mwale SS, Hamusimbi C, Mwansa K. Germination, emergence and growth of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) in response to osmotic seed priming. Seed Science and Technology. 2003;31(1):199-206. DOI: 10.15258/

[30] Benlloch-González M, Quintero JM, García-Mateo MJ, Fournier JM, Benlloch M. Effect of water stress and subsequent re-watering on K+ and water flows in sunflower roots. A possible mechanism to tolerate water stress. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 2015;118:78-84. DOI: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2015.06.008

[31] Lisar SY, Motafakkerazad R, Hossain MM, Rahman IM. Water stress in plants: Causes, effects and responses. In: Water Stress; Rahman, M., Hasegawa, H., (Eds.). 2012. pp. 1-14. InTech: Rijeka, Croatia. DOI:

[32] Fernández-Moroni I, Fraysse M, Presotto A, Cantamutto M. Evaluation of Argentine wild sunflower biotypes for drought stress during reproductive stage. Helia. 2012;35(57):29-36. DOI:

[33] Hussain S, Saleem MF, Ashraf MY, Cheema MA, Haq MA. Abscisic acid, a stress hormone helps in improving water relations and yield of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) hybrids under

Cıkılı Y, Kolsarıcı Ö. Seed treatments to overcome salt and drought stress during germination in sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.). European journal of agronomy. 2006;24(4):291-295. DOI:

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

[27] Farooq M, Hussain M, Wahid A, Siddique KH. Drought stress in plants: an overview. In: Plant responses to drought stress 2012.pp. 1-33. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-32653-0

*Abiotic Stress in Plants*

ijms14059643

stress in sunflower plants through modifying some physio-biochemical parameters. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science. 2016;16(4):677-693. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2016.16.4.12907

paper; 2012;12(3):1-12. DOI: 10.22004/

[21] Elliott J, Deryng D, Müller C, Frieler K, Konzmann M, Gerten D, Glotter M, Flörke M, Wada Y, Best N, Eisner S. Constraints and potentials of future irrigation water availability on agricultural production under climate change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2014;111(9):3239- 3244. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1222474110

[22] Farooq M, Hussain M,

Siddique KH. Drought stress in wheat during flowering and grain-filling periods. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 2014;33(4):331-349. DOI: 10.1080/07352689.2014.875291

[23] Hussain S, Ahmad M, Ahmad S, Iqbal J, Subhani MN, Nadeem SM, Atta S, Ibrahim M. Improvement of drought tolerance in sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) by foliar application of abscisic acid and

potassium chloride. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 2013;12(4):345. DOI: 10.3923/

[24] Andrianasolo FN, Casadebaig P, Maza E, Champolivier L, Maury P, Debaeke P. Prediction of sunflower grain oil concentration as a function of variety, crop management and environment using statistical models. European Journal of Agronomy. 2014;54:84-96.

DOI: 10.1051/ocl/2016052

10.1155/2014/170418

[25] Luan Z, Xiao M, Zhou D,

Zhang H, Tian Y, Wu Y, Guan B, Song Y. Effects of salinity, temperature, and polyethylene glycol on the seed germination of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.). The Scientific World Journal. 2014;170418:1-9. DOI:

[26] Wen B. Effects of high temperature and water stress on seed germination of the invasive species Mexican sunflower. PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0141567. DOI:

10.1371/journal.pone.0141567

pjn.2013.345.352

ag.econ.288998

[15] Hasanuzzaman M, Nahar K, Alam M, Roychowdhury R, Fujita M. Physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of heat stress tolerance in plants. International journal of molecular sciences. 2013;14(5):9643-9684. DOI: 10.3390/

[16] Hasanuzzaman M, Nahar K, Fujita M. Plant response to salt stress and role of exogenous protectants to mitigate salt-induced damages. In: Ecophysiology and responses of plants under salt stress 2013. pp. 25-87. Springer, New York, NY. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4747-4\_2

[17] Manivannan P, Rabert GA, Rajasekar M, Somasundaram R.

L. Current Botany. 2014;5:7-13.

[18] Jedmowski C, Ashoub A,

DOI: 10.1155/2015/120868

Gavaland A, Raffaillac D,

0.1051/ocl/2017020

[19] Debaeke P, Bedoussac L,

Drought stress induced modification on growth and Pigments composition in different genotypes of *Helianthus annuus*

Momtaz O, Brüggemann W. Impact of drought, heat, and their combination on chlorophyll fluorescence and yield of wild barley (*Hordeum spontaneum*). Journal of Botany. 2015;120868:1-9.

Bonnet C, Bret-Mestries E, Seassau C,

[20] Alexandratos N, Bruinsma J. World agriculture towards 2030/2050: the 2012 revision. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. ESA Working

Tribouillois H, Véricel G, Justes E. Sunflower crop: environmental-friendly and agroecological. Oilseeds & fats crops and Lipids. 2017;24(3):D304. DOI:

**186**

[28] Kaya MD, Okçu G, Atak M, Cıkılı Y, Kolsarıcı Ö. Seed treatments to overcome salt and drought stress during germination in sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.). European journal of agronomy. 2006;24(4):291-295. DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2005.08.001

[29] Mwale SS, Hamusimbi C, Mwansa K. Germination, emergence and growth of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) in response to osmotic seed priming. Seed Science and Technology. 2003;31(1):199-206. DOI: 10.15258/ sst.2003.31.1.21

[30] Benlloch-González M, Quintero JM, García-Mateo MJ, Fournier JM, Benlloch M. Effect of water stress and subsequent re-watering on K+ and water flows in sunflower roots. A possible mechanism to tolerate water stress. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 2015;118:78-84. DOI: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2015.06.008

[31] Lisar SY, Motafakkerazad R, Hossain MM, Rahman IM. Water stress in plants: Causes, effects and responses. In: Water Stress; Rahman, M., Hasegawa, H., (Eds.). 2012. pp. 1-14. InTech: Rijeka, Croatia. DOI: 10.5772/39363

[32] Fernández-Moroni I, Fraysse M, Presotto A, Cantamutto M. Evaluation of Argentine wild sunflower biotypes for drought stress during reproductive stage. Helia. 2012;35(57):29-36. DOI: 10.2298/HEL1257029F

[33] Hussain S, Saleem MF, Ashraf MY, Cheema MA, Haq MA. Abscisic acid, a stress hormone helps in improving water relations and yield of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) hybrids under

drought. Pakistan Journal of Botany. 2010;42(3):2177-2189. **ISSN :** 0556-3321

[34] Canavar O, Gotz KP, Ellmer F, Chmielewski FM, Kaynak MA. Determination of the relationship between water use efficiency, carbon isotope discrimination and proline in sunflower genotypes under drought stress. Australian Journal of Crop Science. 2014;8(2):232. ISSN: 1835-2693

[35] Hemmati MH, Soleymani A. A study about drought stress effects on grain yield components of three sunflower cultivars. International journal of advanced biological and biomedical research. 2014; 2(3):564- 572. DOI: JR\_IJABBR-2-3\_002

[36] Ghobadi M, Taherabadi S, Ghobadi ME, Mohammadi GR, Jalali-Honarmand S. Antioxidant capacity, photosynthetic characteristics and water relations of sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) cultivars in response to drought stress. Industrial Crops and Products. 2013;50:29-38. DOI: 10.1016/j. indcrop.2013.07.009

[37] Hussain S, Saleem MF, Iqbal J, Ibrahim M, Ahmad M, Nadeem SM, Ali A, Atta S. Abscisic acid mediated biochemical changes in sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.) grown under drought and well-watered field conditions. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences. 2015;25(2):406-416. ISSN : 1018-7081

[38] Buriro M, Sanjrani AS, Chachar QI, Chachar NA, Chachar SD, Buriro B, Gandahi AW, Mangan T. Effect of water stress on growth and yield of sunflower. Journal of Agricultural Technology. 2015;11(7):1547-1563. ISSN 1686-9141

[39] Farzad BA, Mahmoud T, Majid N, Mohamad-Reza S. Effect of drought stress on yield and yield components of some sunflower recombinant inbred lines. International Journal

of Biosciences. 2013;3:50-56. DOI: 10.12692/ijb/3.3.50-56 A

[40] Hussain M, Malik MA, Farooq M, Khan MB, Akram M, Saleem MF. Exogenous glycinebetaine and salicylic acid application improves water relations, allometry and quality of hybrid sunflower under water deficit conditions. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 2009;195(2):98-109. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-037X.2008.00354.x

[41] Hussain RA, Ahmad R, Nawaz F, Ashraf MY, Waraich EA. Foliar NK application mitigates drought effects in sunflower (*Helianthus annuus* L.). Acta physiologiae plantarum. 2016;38(4):83. DOI: 10.1007/s11738-016-2104-z

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10.3390/agronomy10091224

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10.1007/s11356-016-6957-x

10.1590/1678-4499.353

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2001;229(2):213-224. DOI: doi. org/10.1023/A:1004883032383

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[144] Saleem MH, Fahad S, Adnan M, Ali M, Rana MS, Kamran M, Ali Q, Hashem IA, Bhantana P, Ali M, Hussain RM. Foliar application of gibberellic acid endorsed phytoextraction of copper and alleviates oxidative stress in jute (*Corchorus capsularis* L.) plant grown in highly copper-contaminated soil of China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2020:1-3. DOI: 10.1007/ s11356-020-09764-3

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[148] Gholamin R, Khayatnezhad M. Effect of different levels of manganese fertilizer and drought stress on yield and agronomic use efficiency of fertilizer in durum wheat in Ardabil. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. 2012;10:1326-1328. ISSN: 1459-0255

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**197**

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

[154] Printz B, Lutts S, Hausman JF, Sergeant K. Copper trafficking in plants and its implication on cell wall dynamics. Frontiers in plant science. 2016;7:601. DOI: 10.3389/

[155] Yruela I. Copper in plants: acquisition, transport and

interactions. Functional Plant Biology. 2009;36(5):409-430. DOI: 10.1071/

[156] Krämer U, Clemens S. Functions and homeostasis of zinc, copper, and nickel in plants. In: Molecular biology of metal homeostasis and detoxification. 2005. pp. 215-271. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. DOI: 10.1007/4735\_96

fpls.2016.00601

FP08288

*Protagonist of Mineral Nutrients in Drought Stress Tolerance of Field Crops DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94135*

[154] Printz B, Lutts S, Hausman JF, Sergeant K. Copper trafficking in plants and its implication on cell wall dynamics. Frontiers in plant science. 2016;7:601. DOI: 10.3389/ fpls.2016.00601

*Abiotic Stress in Plants*

[141] Khurana N, Chatterjee C. Influence of variable zinc on yield, oil content, and physiology of sunflower. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 2001;32(19-20):3023- 3030. DOI: 10.1081/CSS-120001104

accumulation and resistance mechanisms. Journal of soil science and plant nutrition. 2010;10(4):470-481. DOI: 10.4067/ S0718-95162010000200008

jpln.200420516

[147] Hu Y, Schmidhalter U. Drought and salinity: a comparison of their effects on mineral nutrition of plants. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 2005;168(4):541-549. DOI: 10.1002/

[148] Gholamin R, Khayatnezhad M. Effect of different levels of manganese fertilizer and drought stress on yield and agronomic use efficiency of fertilizer in durum wheat in Ardabil. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. 2012;10:1326-1328. ISSN: 1459-0255

[149] Waraich EA, Ahmad R, Ashraf MY. Role of mineral nutrition in alleviation of drought stress in plants. Australian Journal of Crop Science. 2011;5(6):

[150] Sardans J, Penuelas J, Ogaya R. Drought's impact on Ca, Fe, Mg, Mo and S concentration and accumulation patterns in the plants and soil of a Mediterranean evergreen *Quercus ilex* forest. Biogeochemistry. 2008;87(1): 49-69. DOI: 10.1007/s10533-007-9167-2

[151] Lombardi L, Sebastiani L,

PLN-120024271

10.1093/aob/mcg079

Vitagliano C. Physiological, biochemical, and molecular effects of in vitro induced iron deficiency in peach rootstock Mr. S 2/5. Journal of plant nutrition. 2003;26(11):2149-2163. DOI: 10.1081/

[152] Taiz L, Zeiger E. Plant Physiology. Sinauer Associates. Inc., Publishers. 2006. pp. 764. Sunderland, MA. DOI:

[153] Hajiboland R, Farhanghi F. Effect of low boron supply in turnip plants under drought stress. Biologia plantarum. 2011;55(4):775. DOI: 10.1007/s10535-011-0186-4

764-777. ISSN: 1835-2707

[142] Muhammad B, Adnan M, Munsif F, Fahad S, Saeed M, Wahid F, Arif M, Amanullah J, Wang D, Saud S, Noor M. Substituting urea by organic wastes for improving maize yield in alkaline soil. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 2019;42(19):2423-34. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2019.1659344

[143] Rehman M, Fahad S, Saleem MH, Hafeez M, Rahman MH, Liu F, Deng G. Red light optimized physiological traits and enhanced the growth of ramie (*Boehmeria nivea* L.). Photosynthetica. 2020;58(4):922-31. DOI: 10.3390/

Adnan M, Ali M, Rana MS, Kamran M, Ali Q, Hashem IA, Bhantana P, Ali M, Hussain RM. Foliar application of

phytoextraction of copper and alleviates oxidative stress in jute (*Corchorus capsularis* L.) plant grown in highly copper-contaminated soil of China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2020:1-3. DOI: 10.1007/

Khan SU, Din M, Ullah A, Sabagh AE, Hossain A, Llanes A, Liu L. Copperinduced oxidative stress, initiation of antioxidants and phytoremediation potential of flax (*Linum usitatissimum* L.) seedlings grown under the mixing of two different soils of China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2020;27(5):5211-21. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-07264-7

agriculture10080334

[144] Saleem MH, Fahad S,

gibberellic acid endorsed

s11356-020-09764-3

[145] Saleem MH, Fahad S,

[146] Millaleo R, Reyes-Díaz M, Ivanov AG, Mora ML, Alberdi M. Manganese as essential and toxic element for plants: transport,

**196**

[155] Yruela I. Copper in plants: acquisition, transport and interactions. Functional Plant Biology. 2009;36(5):409-430. DOI: 10.1071/ FP08288

[156] Krämer U, Clemens S. Functions and homeostasis of zinc, copper, and nickel in plants. In: Molecular biology of metal homeostasis and detoxification. 2005. pp. 215-271. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. DOI: 10.1007/4735\_96

**199**

**Chapter 10**

Stresses

low-temperature stresses are also discussed.

**Keywords:** *Brassica napus*, low-temperature, early-maturing

*Xin He*

**Abstract**

**1. Introduction**

An Insight into the Responses of

Early-Maturing *Brassica napus*

to Different Low-Temperature

Rapeseed (*Brassica napus* L.) is an important oil crop worldwide, responds to vernalization, and shows an excellent tolerance to cold stresses during vegetative stage. The winter-type and semi-winter-type rapeseed were typical winter biennial plants in Europe and China. In recent years, more and more early-maturing semiwinter rapeseed varieties were planted across China. Unfortunately, the earlymaturing rapeseed varieties with low cold tolerance have higher risk of freeze injury in cold winter and spring. The molecular mechanisms for coping with different low-temperature stress conditions in rapeseed recently had gained more attention and development. The present review gives an insight into the responses of earlymaturing *B. napus* to different low-temperature stresses (chilling, freezing, coldacclimation, and vernalization), and the strategies to improve tolerance against

Low-temperature is a major environmental stress that adversely affects plant growth and development, limiting the productivity and regional distribution of crops [1, 2]. Rapeseed is an important oil crop worldwide, with planting area of 37.58 million hectares producing 75.00 million tons of oilseeds in 2018 (http:// www.fao.org/faostat/). Based on vernalization requirement, rapeseed is divided into three main ecotypes, i.e., winter, semi-winter and spring types [3–5]. The winter type rapeseed is mainly grown in Europe and is sown in late summer, which requires strong vernalization and flowerings in spring, exhibiting a classical winter annual and with excellent cold tolerance during vegetative stage [3, 6]. The semi-winter type rapeseed is mainly grown in China only needs moderate or weak vernalization to promote flowering in spring, and with week cold tolerance [3, 7]. The semi-winter type rapeseed excessive exposure to low temperature stress in winter will lead to plant damage at vegetative stage and finally cause yield loss [8]. Yangtze River basin is the major region for planting semi-winter rapeseed in China, which accounts for at least 90% of the nation's total production [9]. The semi-winter rapeseed is usually sown in late September and early October shortly after the harvest of rice, and harvested in May before the cropping of rice in this area [10].

#### **Chapter 10**
