Correlation of Proline Accumulation With Increased Efficiency Water Use (WUE) in Plants in Drought Stress

Abstract

Drought stress is an abiotic stress that threatens global agricultural productivity by triggering complex adaptive responses in crops, including the accumulation of proline as a compatible osmolyte. This article analyzes the correlation between proline accumulation and increased water use efficiency (WUE) in drought-stressed plants through a comprehensive literature review of publications in 2019-2025. The results of the analysis revealed a consistent positive correlation where the increase in proline concentration correlated with the optimization of WUE through osmotic adjustment mechanisms and stomata regulation. Temporal dynamics show a critical phase of correlation occurs when the moisture content of the media decreases substantially, triggering progressive proline accumulation. The molecular mechanism involves the integration of proline biosynthesis with photosynthesis modulation and stomata regulation that maintains the rate of carbon dioxide assimilation with minimization of water loss. Genotypic variability in proline accumulation implies the potential for plant breeding to develop drought-tolerant varieties with superior WUE. This paper contributes to the development of drought stress mitigation strategies based on an understanding of physiological and biochemical mechanisms for global food security in the era of climate change.