Aftermath of terminal heat stress on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) : A brief review

Abstract

Abiotic stresses are often interrelated, either individually or in combination, they cause morphological, physiological,
biochemical and molecular changes that adversely affect plant growth, productivity and ultimately seed yield. Heat,
drought, cold and salinity are the major abiotic stresses that induce severe cellular damage in plant species, including
crop plants. High temperature especially terminal heat stress is the second most important stress next to drought. It has
negative effect on plant growth due to the harmful effect on plant development. It is a critical factor for plant productivity
also. Generally plants respond to heat stress through developmental, biochemical and physiological changes and the
type of response depends on several factors such as stress intensity, stress duration and genotype. It poses serious
threats to the sustainability of crop production. The increasing threat of climate change is already having a substantial
impact on agricultural production worldwide, waves cause significant yield losses with great risks for future global food
security. In this review, detrimental effects of terminal heat stress on Indian mustard are discussed in terms of morphophysiological,
yield and biochemical attributes.