Approaches in Enhancing Thermotolerance in Plants: An Updated Review

Abstract

Global warming has been increasing manifold in recent times, and this may cause tremendous economic losses in the near future. Recently, heat stress is considered one of the major constraints affecting crop growth and yield at world level. Heat stress reduced the plant growth, photosynthesis, mineral nutrients, and yield attributes. Heat stress caused both ultrastructural alterations and oxidative stress in different parts of plants. Plants can tolerate certain levels of heat stress by maintaining membrane stability, adjusting antioxidants and compatible solutes, and scavenging reactive oxygen species. Heat tolerance in plants can be improved by selecting heat-tolerant cultivars, genetic engineering, and exogenous application of osmolytes, microbes, mineral nutrients, soil amendments, and proper agricultural practices. This review is devoted to discuss the plants’ physiological and biochemical responses to heat stress and various integrated approaches to improve heat stress tolerance in plants.