Interaction between Stresses

Normally, under natural conditions, plants are subjected to the influence of at least two different stress factors. The physiological responses of plants, exposed to two subsequent stress factors differing in their intensity or duration are reviewed. In the experiments presented here, the effects of some natural (water depletion, extreme temperatures), and anthropogenic (UV-B irradiation and herbicides) stresses, applied alone and in combination were studied. As a measure of the interaction between stresses, the changes in biometric parameters, the levels of some oxidative stress markers and activity of defence enzymes were monitored in pea, wheat, or maize seedlings (grown as water culture) and in Arabidopsis plants. The relationships between the metabolic changes observed, and the degree of cross-synergism or crossadaptation to the interacting stresses are discussed.