Histological Responses of Horticultural Plants to Abiotic Stress Conditions
Chapter from the book: Doğan, H. & Baş, H. (eds.) 2025. Integrated Perspectives in Agriculture and Biology: Theory and Practice.

Servet Aras
Yozgat Bozok University
Gökçe Aydöner Çoban
Yozgat Bozok University
Müjgan Güney
Yozgat Bozok University

Synopsis

Plants are exposed to various environmental stress conditions throughout their life cycles. These stress factors cause significant changes in the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and histological characteristics of plants. Abiotic stresses include environmental factors such as drought, salinity, and flooding. Histological adaptations developed in horticultural plants to these stress conditions are an important part of plant survival strategies. Drought stress causes water loss and plasmolysis in cells, leading to thickening of the cell wall, denser cuticle, and tightening of the leaf mesophyll tissue. Under salinity stress, plants often thicken their epidermal cell walls to prevent water loss from leaves. During flooding, aerenchyma tissue develops in roots due to hypoxic conditions. This tissue facilitates oxygen transport within the plant, reducing the negative effects of anaerobic respiration in root tissues. Consequently, the histological responses of horticultural plants to abiotic stresses are key indicators of plant resilience. These responses vary depending on genetic makeup and species characteristics. Understanding the cellular and tissue changes that occur under stress conditions significantly contributes to the development of highly stress-tolerant varieties and the sustainable production of horticultural crops.

How to cite this book

Aras, S. & Aydöner Çoban, G. & Güney, M. (2025). Histological Responses of Horticultural Plants to Abiotic Stress Conditions. In: Doğan, H. & Baş, H. (eds.), Integrated Perspectives in Agriculture and Biology: Theory and Practice. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub972.c3985

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Published

December 13, 2025

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