PLANT PHYSIOLOGY UNDER ABIOTIC STRESSES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF THE MECHANISMS, RESPONSES, AND TOLERANCE STRATEGIES

Abiotic factors exert a strong influence on plant physiology, as they determine how plants grow, develop, and adapt to the environment. The present study aims to address the main effects of these stresses on plant physiology. Water deficiency, for example, leads to stomatal closure, reducing carbon dioxide uptake and, consequently, the rate of photosynthesis. Salinity causes osmotic imbalance and impairs nutrient absorption, compromising growth. Extreme temperatures also affect metabolism: cold reduces enzymatic activity and membrane fluidity, whereas heat accelerates respiration and may denature proteins. Intense solar radiation, especially ultraviolet radiation, damages pigments and DNA, requiring defense mechanisms such as antioxidant production. In addition, nutrient availability in the soil is essential for vital processes, and both deficiency and excess can generate physiological stress. In response to these challenges, plants develop adaptations such as the accumulation of osmoprotective solutes, the synthesis of heat shock proteins, and the production of antioxidant compounds. Thus, abiotic factors shape plant physiology and directly influence agricultural productivity, making proper management and the development of resistant varieties essential to ensure crop sustainability and yield.