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Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular (DT) Plants

Context:

New study discovers 62 desiccation-tolerant vascular plant species in India’s Western Ghats, with potential applications in agriculture & conservation. These species of plants can withstand harsh environments.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

  1. DT Plant: Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Plants
  2. Color Variations and Morphological Characteristics
  3. Significance of Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Plants

DT Plant: Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Plants

  • DT plants can tolerate the desiccation of their vegetative tissues.
  • They are common in tropical rock outcrops.
  • These plants can survive high dehydration, losing up to 95% of their water content.
Global Population
  • The global population of these species ranges between 300 and 1,500.
  • Out of the 62 species found, 16 are native to India, and 12 are restricted to Western Ghats outcrops.
Distribution
  • DT plants can be found in both tropical and temperate regions.
  • They regenerate quickly when water supplies are restored and are frequently found on rocky outcrops in the tropics.
Adaptation to Harsh Environments
  • DT plants are crucial for the world’s warming as they can thrive at higher temperatures.
  • Hydration and desiccation resistance are two studied mechanisms in plants to survive in harsh environments.
  • Indian desiccation-tolerant plants are primarily found in forest rock outcrops and partially shaded tree trunks.
  • Ferricretes and basaltic plateaus are preferred habitats.
Glyphochloa Genus
  • Glyphochloa is the dominant genus, mainly consisting of annual species occurring on plateaus.
  • Glyphochloa goaensis, Glyphochloa ratnagirica, and Glyphochloa santapaui are found only on ferricretes, while other species are found on both ferricretes and basaltic plateaus.

Color Variations and Morphological Characteristics

  • DT species exhibit color variations and distinct morphological characteristics.
  • Tripogon species change colors from greyish in dry conditions to green in hydrated situations.
  • In Oropetium thomaeum, the leaf cloud transforms from green to dark purple or orange in the hydrated phase and ranges from brownish to ash during desiccation.
  • Ferns (fronds) display various characteristics, such as curling inwards towards the costa, exposing spores at the start of the dry season and during brief dry spells.
  • However, not all species show the same behavior. For example, C lanuginosus leaves fold and shrivel inward to protect the chlorophyllous portion, avoiding direct sunlight exposure during desiccation.

Significance of Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Plants

Climate Resilience in Agriculture:

  • The discovery of desiccation-tolerant vascular plants is significant for agriculture, especially in regions facing water scarcity and high temperatures due to climate change.
  • These plants have evolved mechanisms to survive extreme dehydration, making them potential candidates for developing climate-resilient crops.

Genetic Resource for Crop Improvement:

  • The genes of desiccation-tolerant plants hold valuable traits that can be harnessed to enhance the resilience of conventional crops to water stress and high temperatures.
  • By studying the genetic makeup and adaptation strategies of these plants, scientists can identify and incorporate these desirable traits into crop breeding programs.

High-Temperature Tolerant Crops:

  • Utilizing the genetic resources of DT plants, researchers can work towards developing crop varieties that can thrive in high-temperature environments.
  • High-temperature tolerant crops can better withstand heat stress, maintain productivity, and contribute to food security in the face of climate change.

Water-Scarcity Mitigation:

  • By understanding the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of desiccation-tolerant plants, scientists can design crops that are more water-efficient.
  • Such crops would require less irrigation and could be grown in regions with limited water resources, helping to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity on agriculture.

Ensuring Food Security:

  • Climate-resilient crops with improved tolerance to high temperatures and water stress can contribute to increased agricultural productivity and overall food security.
  • Developing crops with enhanced climate resilience is crucial to meeting the rising global demand for food in the future.

-Source: Down To Earth

 


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