The present edited book is an attempt to update the state of art of the knowledge on metabolism
of ROS and antioxidants and their relationship in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses
involving physiological biochemical and molecular processes. The chapters are much focused on
the current climate issues and how ROS metabolism can manipulate with antioxidant system to
accelerate detoxification mechanism. It will enhance the mechanistic understanding on ROS and
antioxidants system and will pave the path for agricultural scientists in developing tolerant
crops to achieve sustainability under the changing environmental conditions.The increase in
abiotic stress factors has become a major threat to sustainability of crop production. This
situation has led to think ways which can help to come out with potential measures for which
it is necessary to understand the influence of abiotic stress factors on crops performance and
the mechanisms by which these factors impact plants. It has now become evident that abiotic
stress impacts negatively on plant growth and development at every stage of plant's life.
Plants adapt to the changing environment with the adjustment at physiological biochemical and
molecular levels. The possible mechanisms involved in the negative effects of abiotic stress
factors are excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). They alter physiological and
molecular mechanisms leading to poor performance of plants. Plants however are able to cope
with these adverse effects by inducing antioxidant systems as the priority. Nevertheless the
dual role of ROS has now been ascertained which provides an evidence for regulation of plant
metabolism positively on a concentration-dependent manner. Under conditions of high ROS
production the antioxidant system plays a major role in diminishing the effects of ROS. Thus
ROS production and antioxidant system are interwoven with abiotic stress conditions. The
antioxidants have the capacity to hold the stability in metabolism in order to avoid disruption
due to environmental disturbances.
