Ion Homeostasis: A Key Strategy for Plant Drought Tolerance

In addition to ABA and proline, other ions such as calcium (Ca2+) and sodium (Na+) also play important roles in ion homeostasis during drought stress. Ca2+ signaling is involved in stomatal closure and regulation of gene expression, while Na+ exclusion from the cytoplasm prevents toxicity and maintains ion balance. [A28] Plants have developed various mechanisms to maintain ion homeostasis, such as ion transporters and channels, ion-binding proteins, and osmotic adjustment. [A29] Overall, ion homeostasis is crucial for plant survival under drought stress, and understanding the underlying mechanisms can help in the development of drought-tolerant crops.