Drought and salinity are major environmental constraints that severely affect crop productivity. Plants frequently encounter these abiotic stresses, with salinity-drought combinations posing a significant threat to plant growth. Both stresses induce physiological, biochemical, morphological, and metabolic variations through various mechanisms, ultimately altering plant growth and productivity. Individual stress negatively influences plant growth, photosynthesis, ionic balance, and oxidative status, while integrated salinity-drought stress has a more synergistic effect. The severity caused by each stress varies depending on the plant species and existing environmental conditions. For instance, drought stress may have a more severe effect on photosynthesis compared with salinity, while salinity itself has a more detrimental effect on root biomass. A key difference between the individual and combined stress responses associated with antioxidant production. Plants exposed to individual stress can enhance their antioxidant levels. However, under combined salinity-drought stress, this vital defense mechanism appears compromised, leading to increased oxidative stress. The presented review highlighted the significant negative impact of integrated and individual salinity and drought stresses on plant growth. Understanding the multifaceted plant responses at various levels and the genetic base of plant tolerance to drought and salinity is essential for developing strategies to improve plant resistance to these stressors.
Abiotic stress factors, drought, salinity, osmotic and oxidative stress, plant growth, photosynthesis
Integrated salinity-drought stress has a more detrimental effect on plants compared with individual stress. The severity of drought and salinity stresses can vary depending on the plant species and environmental conditions. Plants exposed to individual stresses can increase their antioxidant levels, however, comprising this mechanism under combined salinity-drought pressure.