Climate Variability Impact on Wheat Production in Europe: Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

Increased carbon dioxide concentration, rise in temperature and drought stress are important key factors causing frequent occurrence of climate events. Important adaptation strategy such as modification of phenological pattern to avoid stressful period during plant development will be key feature in crop plants. In addition, comprehensive understanding of plants response to elevated CO2 concentration, temperature and drought stress alone or in combination will be needed to acclimatize crop plant to these changes. Study of climate variability impact on wheat production concerning mitigation strategies is need of time in order to reduce the risk of climate change on crop yield and growth. Similarly, information about the time in which climate variable(s) occurred in the field is important as the severity of its effect/their combined effect can vary largely. Agronomic practices such as cultivar choice, water and nitrogen supply, nutrients availability and growing conditions should be taken into account to design adaptation options. The failure of agriculture to adapt to climatic variability will impact global food, especially wheat production. A holistic approach will be paramount to sustaining agriculture and the vitality of the world in the face of climate change.