Improved Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants by Accumulation of Osmoprotectants—Gene Transfer Approach

Abstract

Abiotic stress is the major limiting factor of plant growth and crop yields. Traditional plant breeding has achieved significant results but the process is rather time- consuming and expensive. Plant biotechnology appears to be an attractive alternative in respect of the possibility for direct introduction of single genes into crops. The group of osmoprotectants is of particular interest for improving abiotic stress tolerance of crops. In the recent years, the efforts in the area gained considerable results. The studies performed at ABI will be discussed in relation with the major achievements elsewhere and the possibilities for elucidation of the complex role of osmoprotectants in abiotic stress tolerance and the practical breeding.