ABSTRACT
This brief review of literature has the objective of discussing some aspects of the morphological and physiological factors that directly or indirectly influence the plant's ability to adapt to different soil water deficit conditions during its growth and development. The sensitivity of leaf development to water deficits may change during the daytime or during the season of the year. The reduction of the plant leaf area may be considered as the first plant response to water deficit. Plants cultivated under irrigated conditions are usually less resistant to water deficit. A rapid development of water deficit may accelerate morphologic and physiologic changes in the plants. However, the gradual development of water deficit by plants growing in most field situations allows slow and continual adjustments in physiological processes. The plant adaptation to soil water deficit is important to maintain the production capacity in conditions of restricted water availability to the plants.
Key words:
water deficit; morphology; physiology