Role of Plant Hormones in Crop Adaptation to Drought and Water Stress Conditions

Drought and water stress are among the most significant environmental factors limiting agricultural productivity worldwide. In monsoon-dependent regions such as India, irregular rainfall patterns and delayed monsoon onset frequently expose crops to moisture stress during critical growth stages. Plant hormones, also known as phytohormones, play a vital role in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. These signaling molecules help plants adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions by regulating physiological and biochemical processes such as stomatal closure, root development, osmotic adjustment, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. The present study reviews the role of major plant hormones in crop adaptation to drought and water stress conditions. Secondary information was collected from scientific research papers, agricultural reports, and plant physiology studies. The findings indicate that hormones such as abscisic acid, auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene, and salicylic acid play significant roles in regulating plant responses to water stress.