Biologia Molecular: Acesso Aberto

New Techniques for Evaluation of Water Stress and Drought Effects in Crop and Rangeland Plants

Abstract

Muhtor Nasyrov

Temperature and water regimes are the main factors that affect the growth, development, and yield of plants growing in arid and semi-arid regions. Consequently, any change in climate will likely have a major influence on plants growing in these areas. For example, a 1-3 0C rise in temperature can shift growth to 5-14 days earlier, which may result in growth initiation during the last week of February. This shift may be critical for the growth of vegetation where growth would be shifted to a period of more intensive rainfall and lower air temperatures, resulting in declines in total biomass production. This may be particularly important for sedges (Carex spp.), a main fodder crop in Central Asia, which have previously been shown to exhibit considerable reductions in height during the last 30 years.