ABSTRACT
Ornamental plants could potentially face abiotic stresses (e.g., salinity and drought stress) at both production and postproduction stages (i.e., in the landscape). In both production and landscape situations, abiotic stresses, such as salinity and drought, adversely affect growth and development by causing morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes. The effects of these stresses range from the molecular level to the whole-plant level, from possible damage to tolerance and hardening mechanisms (Beck et al. 2004). Responses to salinity and drought stresses vary significantly among ornamental plants. Plants may change leaf orientation, transpiration rate, lipid membrane composition, and osmotic adjustment for short-term acclimation, or morphological changes may occur for long-term adaptation. With the paramount importance of the role of water quantity and quality in the life of plants, the following discussion aims to evaluate the effects of salinity and drought stresses on photosynthesis, growth, and development of ornamental plants.
