Response of Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism and Secondary Metabolites to Drought Stress and Salt Stress in Plants

Abstract

Carbon and nitrogen metabolism provide the main energy and basic nutrients for plants. However, environmental stress seriously affects carbon and nitrogen metabolism and thus hinders plant growth, especially drought stress and salt stress. Hence, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the response of carbon and nitrogen metabolism to drought stress and salt stress by photosynthesis, sucrose and starch metabolism, nitrogen uptake and amino acids. Previous researchers also studied the response of secondary metabolism under both stresses on account of secondary metabolism may confer protection against environmental stresses. Our review highlights the diverse responses of carbon and nitrogen metabolism to drought stress and salt stress and the content changes of three secondary metabolites in plants under stresses.