Molecular and physiological analysis of drought response in the Mediterranean conifer Pinus pinaster Ait.

Drought is a major environmental stress factor that determines the growth, development and survival of plants living in water scarce environments. Climate change predictions point at increasing dryness over the Mediterranean region. Pinus pinaster Ait. is an important Mediterranean conifer subjected to recurrent drought periods. Notwithstanding its relatively small geographical range this species, which is found along a rainfall cline, is characterized by a significant genetic and adaptive diversity. Different morphological and physiological responses appear to play an important role in drought adaptation of this conifer. These complex responses to drought, from perception to transcriptional, metabolic and physiological changes, need to be considered at a global systems biology level to study the multiple interactive components. Integration and analysis of multidisciplinary datasets will likely increase our understanding of molecular mechanisms controlling Pinus pinaster response to drought