Emerging Trends in Climate Change (ETCC)
Year : 2023, Volume 2, Issue 2
First page : 30-43
Article doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2583-4770.131
Potential of Climate Resilient Crop Varieties for Sustainable Food Production and Food Security under Various Extreme Weather Conditions
Muhammad Nouman Khalid*, Ifrah Amjad
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan *Corresponding Author E-mail: noumankhalidpbg@gmail.com Received: 21.4.2023 | Revised: 29.06.2023 | Accepted: 17.07.2023
ABSTRACT
Climate change, characterized by aberrant weather conditions, poses severe threats to global agriculture and food security. This comprehensive review explores the development of climateresilient crop varieties as a sustainable solution. Initial discussions highlight the crucial role of plant genomics and phenomics in decoding the genetic basis of climate resilience. Genomics and phenomics enable accurate mapping of traits associated with climate resilience, and coupled with advanced biotechnology, they pave the way for the precise modification of plant genomes for enhanced resilience. Translating these lab-based advancements to real-world applications presents challenges, including bridging the yield gap between optimal and field conditions and navigating socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of new varieties. Notwithstanding these hurdles, case studies such as drought-tolerant maize in Sub-Saharan Africa and salttolerant rice in Asia underline the significant benefits and wider adoption of these climateresilient crops, primarily when supported by effective extension services and favourable policy environments. The review anticipates an increasing role for advanced biotechnology, including genetic engineering, genome editing, and synthetic biology in developing climate-resilient crops. Integrated breeding strategies combining traditional methods and biotechnology are envisaged, focusing on combinations of traits that enhance crop resilience under multiple stress conditions. Moreover, a shift towards systems approaches is projected, with an emphasis on optimizing interactions between genetic, environmental, and management factors. Participatory breeding and farmer-centered approaches are also gaining recognition for their potential to align crop development with the needs of farmers. Policy and regulatory evolution is identified as pivotal for managing advancements in crop improvement technologies. Regulations must balance innovation with biosafety, and policies need to promote research and development, support the seed industry, and facilitate the adoption of improved varieties.
Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2583-4770.131
Cite this article:
Khalid, M. N., & Amjad, I. (2023). Potential of Climate Resilient Crop Varieties for Sustainable Food Production and Food Security Under Various Extreme Weather Conditions, Emrg. Trnd. Clim. Chng. 2(2), 30-43. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2583-4770.131
