Too hot to handle, the adverse effect of heat stress on crop yield

Abstract

A major part of the human diet is made up by seeds such as wheat, rice and maize; both as staple crops and as raw material for livestock feed. The yield of these crops is highly dependent on successful flower development, pollination and proper timing of seed set. However, significant yield loss is caused by stress factors such as excessive heat and drought, which are being exacerbated by ongoing climate change (Zhao et al. 2017). Pollen development, in particular, is highly sensitive to heat stress (Mesihovic et al. 2016) and in an effort to enhance our understanding of plant responses to heat stress, with the view of aiding breeding efforts, Bheemanahalli et al. (2020) used metabolic and hormonal profiling to investigate the regulation of heat stress tolerance in two wheat genotypes.

Pollen Germination and Tube Growth in Northern Highbush Blueberry are Inhibited by Extreme Heat

“…Our results describe the negative consequences of brief periods of extreme heat, mirroring conditions experienced in the field, on northern highbush blueberry pollen performance. New regions of blueberry expansion and existing regions growing blueberry such as south China (Yang et al 2019b) and Michigan (Lobos and Hancock 2015) have already experienced the negative effects of extreme heat exposure on berry yields, so understanding the tolerance and sensitivity of this crop to high heat is critical as incidences of extreme heat increase in intensity, frequency, and duration (IPCC 2021; Lobos and Hancock 2015;Yang et al 2019b;van Es 2020;Walters et al 2022). Our results from these experiments should inform future in vivo research in northern highbush blueberry and advise prospective breeding and mitigation strategies to reduce heat stress in blueberry fields and maintain yields as the climate continues to change.…”

“…The intensity and frequency of extreme heat events are increasing in every region of the globe [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2021], with negative consequences for agricultural production (Hatfield et al 2020;IPCC 2021;Lohani et al 2020;Mesihovic et al 2016;van Es 2020). Global yields are expected to decline by 2.5% to 10% across various crops in the 21st century due to extreme heat stress and other effects of climate change, threatening food security for a growing human population (Hatfield et al 2011;IPCC 2018).…”

Effects of Heat Stress on Plant-Nutrient Relations: An Update on Nutrient Uptake, Transport, and Assimilation

“…According to a recent report by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), climate change will affect corn and wheat production as early as 2030 [5], with corn yields expected to decline by 24% [5]. Similarly, global wheat production is estimated to be reduced by 6% for every degree Celsius rise in temperature [6], which is a substantial and worrying decline for the world's third most important staple crop [7]. Local crop production is predicted to be affected more severely as local climates can often be subjected to more extreme changes.…”