This thesis describes the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to plant adaptation to stress conditions, with a particular focus on drought environments. The aim of the research was to determine how epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, affect the phenotypic plasticity of plants and whether these changes become heritable and persistent across multiple generations. Described experiments were conducted by subjecting plants to controlled mild stress conditions while monitoring molecular changes using advanced techniques such as gene expression analysis and epigenetic pattern profiling. It was found that plants develop adaptations to drought conditions, but these epigenetic changes are not necessarily permanent and do not always transmit to subsequent generations. The thesis further examines the potential applications of these findings in agriculture, including the possibility of selecting plants that are more resilient to environmental stressors. The described research results indicate a limited transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic changes, which has significant implications for developing new strategies to improve crop yields and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Described studies pave the way for further research focusing on the long-term effects of epigenetic modifications and their role in plant adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
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