Define the term ‘stress’ for plants. Discuss briefly the two types of stress encountered by plants.

STRESS- Any negative impact on the plant that is caused due to any factor whether biotic or abiotic is known as stress. The stress affects the growth and development of the plant.

The two types of stress encountered by plants are:

1. Water stress: Water stress can be due to both: increased and decreased quantity of the water. If the water is less than the required amount it causes drought which dries up the plant and if the water is more than the required quantity then flood occurs, which too stresses the plant.

2. Salt stress: This is caused due to increase in the amount of salts in the soil solution. The plants take up large amount of the soil from the surrounding and it causes death of the cells.