A Comprehensive Review on the Impact of Climate Change on Fruit Yield and Quality in Modern Horticultural Practices

Abstract

This review provides an exhaustive analysis of the impact of climate change on fruit yield and quality, with a specific focus on India's horticultural sector. It synthesizes current research findings, identifies gaps, and suggests future directions to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change on key fruit crops. Climate change, characterized by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events, poses significant challenges to fruit production. These challenges under three main sections: the direct and indirect effects of climate change on fruit yield, the influence of climate change on fruit quality, and the adaptations in modern horticultural practices. The direct effects include alterations in flowering and fruiting cycles and changes in pollination dynamics. Indirect effects comprise changes in soil quality and nutrient availability, along with water availability and irrigation challenges. These factors collectively lead to variations in fruit yield across different regions and crops. The review also discusses the impact of climate change on the nutritional content of fruits, such as changes in sugar, acid, vitamin levels, and secondary metabolites that affect flavour and health benefits. Physical and aesthetic changes, including modifications in size, color, texture, and shelf life, are also examined, highlighting their implications for marketability and consumer preference. Adaptation strategies in response to these challenges are crucial. Delves into breeding and genetic modification efforts aimed at developing climate-resilient fruit varieties and discusses the role of biotechnology in these adaptations. It also covers changes in agronomic practices, such as adjustments in planting dates and crop rotation, alongside water management and conservation techniques. The adoption of technological innovations like precision agriculture, monitoring systems, and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is evaluated for their potential to enhance resilience in fruit production.