Dürretolerante

Dürretolerante refers to a characteristic of plants that allows them to survive and even thrive under conditions of drought or insufficient water supply. This is a crucial adaptation for plants growing in arid or semi-arid regions, as well as for those facing periods of prolonged dry spells.

Plants exhibiting drought tolerance possess a variety of mechanisms to cope with water scarcity. These can include deep root systems to access moisture further underground, reduced leaf surface area or modified leaf structures like thick cuticles or hairs to minimize water loss through transpiration, and specialized metabolic pathways that allow them to conserve water or utilize available water more efficiently. Some plants may also have the ability to enter a state of dormancy during dry periods, resuming growth when water becomes available again.

The study of drought tolerance is important for agriculture and horticulture, particularly in the context of climate change, which is predicted to increase the frequency and severity of droughts in many areas. Developing or identifying drought-tolerant crop varieties can help ensure food security and reduce the need for extensive irrigation, thereby conserving water resources. Research in this field focuses on understanding the genetic and physiological basis of drought tolerance to breed more resilient plants.