Chapter 1 - Breeding, genetic diversity, and safe production of Hibiscus sabdariffa under climate change

Abstract

Recently, the increasing consumer preference for various products of the calyces has driven production to its economic benefit. Roselle is highly perishable when fresh, and its value rises rapidly under extreme conditions of droughts or floods. In this chapter, the genetics, breeding, and safe production of Roselle amid global climatic changes are reviewed thoroughly. It was found that the conservation, cultivar improvement, and sustainable production of Roselle can be achieved when promising landraces are identified and subjected to intensive cultivation. The extensive genetic variability helps in cultivar improvement and conservation of Roselle characteristics. Other practices including intercropping, spacing, apical de-budding, seed treatment (using plant extract), soil amendment, harvesting methods, and seed storage techniques contribute to the crop growth and yield improvement. Finally, consumer safety can be achieved through appropriate use of synthetic pesticides, wastewater, and fertilizers as these are major sources of chemical and microbial contamination of Roselle products.