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Effect of Cold Stress on Photosynthesis of Plants and Possible Protection Mechanisms

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Approaches to Plant Stress and their Management

Abstract

Plants are subjected to various types of abiotic stresses; among them temperature stress is a common stress experienced by plants distributed all across the globe. Low temperature is one among the important environmental factors that limit the food productivity of agricultural fields around the world. To cope with cold stress, plant species have evolved several physiological and molecular adaptations to minimise damage from cold by adjusting their metabolic processes. The understanding of adaptations and protective regulations represents an additional mechanism of cold tolerance. As a consequence of these changes, plants undergo a process known as cold acclimation. In this chapter, a brief summary on the recent progress of research on how cold-sensitive plants perceive cold is mentioned. We have also explored how this perception is translated into protective mechanism within plants. Particular emphasis is placed on physiological parameters, and regulation of cold-induced photosynthetic processes that occur after exposure to low temperatures, leading to cold acclimation, is widely discussed. This chapter mainly emphasises on the various molecules and pigments synthesised to acclimatise during low-temperature exposure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, AP, 517502, India

    S. Adam & S. D. S. Murthy

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  1. S. Adam
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  2. S. D. S. Murthy
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Correspondence to S. D. S. Murthy .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science Faculty of Arts, Science & Commerce, Mody Institute of Technology & Science, Sikar, Rajasthan, India

    R.K. Gaur

  2. Division of Crop Improvement, Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal, Haryana, India

    Pradeep Sharma

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Adam, S., Murthy, S.D.S. (2014). Effect of Cold Stress on Photosynthesis of Plants and Possible Protection Mechanisms. In: Gaur, R., Sharma, P. (eds) Approaches to Plant Stress and their Management. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1620-9_12

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