Importance of water for plant growth

Water is one of the major factors that affects plant growth, development and survival.

• • A major constituent of plant tissues
  • A reagent in biochemical reactions
  • A solvent that facilitate biochemical reactions, and to carry solutes within plant body
  •  A mode of translocation for metabolites and minerals
  • Supports water movements from roots to leaves (through root pressure
  • Cools off plant body, and facilitate photosynthesis
  • Essential for cell enlargement through increasing turgor pressure

Water deficits may affect many of the physiological processes associated with growth, and severe conditions may be lethal to plants. The effects of water stress may vary with the variety, degree and duration of water stress and the growth stage of the rice crop.