Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Water-Deficit Stress Response

Water deficit is the major limiting factor in crop production which has a significant influence by changing climate. With increasing occurrence of water-deficit stress in warming globe, it becomes inevitable to comprehend and dissect the role of oxidation-induced metabolic alterations. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals which are produced in low level at intercellular sites especially in chloroplasts and peroxisomes, has had shown enhanced concentrations during water-deficit condition. Higher amount of ROS acts as toxic substance which can damage cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. Plants have evolved its antioxidant systems to restrict ROS accumulation as general stress signaling process. This oxidative stress plays a major role in plant water-deficit responses in terms of oxidative damage and related redox signaling.