stress tolerance
phrasePronunciation: /strɛs ˈtɑlərəns/
Also written as: ST
The capacity of plants to survive and maintain growth under abiotic stress conditions. It encompasses various physiological and molecular mechanisms that enable plant survival.
Full Definition
Stress tolerance refers to the inherent or acquired ability of plants to withstand adverse environmental conditions while maintaining essential cellular functions and growth processes. This concept encompasses multiple levels of biological organization, from molecular responses to whole-plant adaptations. Tolerance mechanisms may include stress avoidance, stress mitigation, or damage repair strategies. The degree of tolerance varies significantly among species, cultivars, and developmental stages.
Plain English
How well a plant can handle tough conditions like drought, cold, or salty soil without dying or becoming severely damaged.
In Editorial Context
A core research focus in abiotic stress publications, requiring careful definition of stress conditions, measurement parameters, and comparison standards when used in manuscript titles, abstracts, and key findings sections.
Etymology & History
Term emerged with the development of plant stress physiology as a distinct research field during the Green Revolution era
Originally focused on drought tolerance, now encompasses multiple abiotic stresses and molecular mechanisms
Usage
"The manuscript demonstrates improved stress tolerance in transgenic lines through overexpression of the identified transcription factor."
Usage note: Should be distinguished from stress resistance and stress avoidance mechanisms
Context: Research papers, grant proposals, breeding programs, physiological studies
Region: international
Also known as
Contrasted with
Don't confuse with
Often confused with stress avoidance (preventing stress exposure) or stress resistance (complete immunity)