Waterlogging Stress in Ornamental Plants, Effects, Tolerance Mechanisms: A rewiew

Abstract

In recent years, the frequency and severity of floods have increased due to global warming associated with climate change. Flooding is a significant abiotic stress factor that directly affects plant growth, development, and survival, and it has considerable impacts on biodiversity. In agriculture, research on flooding stress has primarily focused on crops with high strategic importance. However, in ornamental plants, the amount of research remains limited.Flooding induces substantial morphological and physiological changes in plants, depending on the species, the duration of inundation, and the prevailing environmental conditions. The main objectives of this review are to examine the effects of flooding stress on ornamental plants and to highlight the morphological, physiological, biochemical, genetic, and molecular mechanisms involved in flood tolerance.

In recent years, several strategies have been explored to mitigate the adverse effects of flooding on plants. These include the selection of tolerant species and cultivars, nutrient supplementation, hormone treatments, and the application of biostimulants. Such mechanisms support plant survival by enhancing oxygen uptake, reducing toxic metabolite accumulation, and maintaining energy production under hypoxic conditions.

The findings of current studies are crucial for developing strategies to manage flood-induced stress, guiding the selection of suitable ornamental plants for flood-prone landscape areas, promoting sustainable landscape designs, and minimizing economic losses in the ornamental horticulture sector. Furthermore, it is essential for ornamental plant breeding programs to focus on the development of waterlogging-tolerant cultivars.