ABSTRACT
Plants’ growth and development are severely affected by drought stress, with a significant loss in growth rate and biomass accumulation. A series of physiological, biochemical and molecular changes are triggered by drought stress, which has a negative effect on plant growth and development. Transcription factors, a type of regulatory protein, play a vital role in the cascade of signaling and harbor a major hub in the web of stresses. Reactive oxygen species are chemical species which contain oxygen and are chemically reactive in nature. Osmoprotectants are the compatible solutes that act as osmolytes so that an organism can survive in adverse stress conditions. Plant hormones also play an important role in regulatory processes during stress conditions. Pearl millet is the seventh most important global cereal and is a staple crop for millions in India and Africa, where dryland crop production is practiced. Maize is among the world’s most important food and staple crop for Sub-Saharan African countries.
