ABSTRACT
Stresses are the major determinants of crop productivity. Climate change increases the frequency of weather anomalies, which puts crops at even bigger risk. To ensure food security, measures need to be taken to ensure stable crop production, even in the face of stressful events. Drought as well as heat stresses occur very frequently in arid and semi-arid regions and cause huge yield reduction. Drought and heat pressures impact the plant morphologically, physiologically and biochemically. Plant tolerance mechanisms to these stresses are essential for stable crop production. Plants have many tolerance mechanisms for stresses such as osmolyte accumulation, phytohormonal activity and alteration in metabolic activities. A combination of genetic, physiological and biochemical strategies, when carefully integrated, can help in improving crop productivity under a stressful situation. Such a strategy can also help to counter the adverse impacts of climate change in the long run.
