ABSTRACT
Abiotic stresses are being considered as major obstacles to global food security. These stresses can be drought, salinity, heavy rainfall, extreme temperature conditions, soil degradation and the influence of heavy metals including others, which usually seem to adversely affect crop productivity and eventually lead to restricting global food production by various means. By understanding the importance of this threatening scenario, researchers and scientists are coming forward with numerous ideas and technologies, which have the potential to maintain global food security under unfavorable conditions. Among these technologies, gibberellin or gibberellic acid (GA) is of prime importance in mitigating varied abiotic stresses. The role of GAs becomes more vital under a variety of abiotic stresses because they act as stress-signaling molecules, response determinatives and regulators. GA molecules have the capacity to modulate the oxidative stress processes and antioxidant enzyme activity; thus, it helps the plant suppress the negative effects of abiotic stress. This mechanism triggers the plant to maintain its physiology, even under stressful conditions and ultimately respond with sustainable yield. This book chapter attempts to provide insight into the application of GAs and their ameliorative impacts on the regulatory functions of crop plants under various abiotic stresses.
