Editorial: Genome editing strategies for augmenting crop resilience against climate change

Gaining Acceptance of Novel Plant Breeding Technologies.

Epigenetics for crop adaptation to climate change

Widespread negative impacts of climate change include limited plant growth, decreased soil fertility, and ultimately limited food production. Roots, tubers and bananas (RTB) are key commodities for food security, nutrition and livelihoods especially among small-holder farmers. Furthermore, roots and tubers, being resilient crops, can help farmers adapt to climate change and variability. Nevertheless, food security and livelihood agenda mostly emphasize on grain crops (such as rice, maize, and wheat), and very few studies have looked into the future potential of RTB crops and their likely increasing importance in the face of climate change. This study attempts to identify areas in the Asia-Pacific region where considerable climate impacts that threaten agricultural viability of major crops are expected. The study used climate projections and species distribution modeling approach for eight key crops in the region. In areas where impacts are very high, it is assumed that the currently cultivated crops may need to be substituted with more resilient crops. Key findings of this study include: • Countries, such as India, China, and Myanmar will experience high impacts of climate change on land suitability for maize. • Although there is a general decrease of climatic suitability for rice, the viability threshold was not crossed across time periods. However, climate change will put increasing pressure on this crop, particularly in India that will likely experience considerable losses of land suitability for rice. • Among RTB crops, cassava and sweetpotato can play an important role in terms of food resilience in areas where climate change is likely to trigger transformational changes for non-RTB (rice and maize) and some RTB crops. • Some RTB crops, although considered resilient crops, will also undergo considerable transformational change, specifically potato in India. • In terms of food system resilience, considerations and emphasis on the role of cassava and sweetpotato (and RTB in general) should be integrated in any adaptation initiative, especially in countries where food systems and value chains are particularly threatened by climate change.

Climate has been recognized as a principal factor that control crop distribution and growth. Agricultural productivity has been found to be exaggerated by climate change, this will results food insecurity and poverty. To find out an alternative food source is very much necessary for the existence of life in such climate change related catastrophic events. This study examines selected meteorological conditions of Kottayam district, especially inter-annual and inter-seasonal trends from a climate change perspective and also reviewed the famer’s perception, tubers as a better resilient crop under extreme weather events on regional basis and their promotion need to be emphasized in a better manner. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select 130 tubers cultivating farmers especially cassava, using extensive field visit and structural questionnaire the data were collected. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency table, percentage, mean and chi-square test. The results of the study revealed that climate change was happened on regional basis. The result also highlights the sensitive nature of our staple food crop towards the climate change and hence causes food insecurity related problems. A shift in cultivation trends were also noticed i.e. most of the farmers engaged in rice production now opt tuber, vegetable and other cash crops for cultivation on an extensive basis. Emergences of more tuber cultivation incidence were reported. Cassava and other tubers showed more resilience under climate change events and was found to be sustainable on production and economy basis. The study concluded that the viable and cheap alternatives are the ever resilient tubers.

Increasingly extreme climate changes have posed significant challenges to the global agricultural sector, particularly in maintaining productivity and food security amidst the rising frequency of droughts, floods, extreme temperatures, as well as pest and disease attacks. This research aims to identify and analyze the latest genetic breakthroughs that contribute to enhancing crop resilience against various stresses caused by climate change. By using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this article reviews the latest scientific literature from various leading databases, focusing on genetic innovations such as genome engineering (including CRISPR-Cas9), marker-based selection, and conventional breeding that have successfully increased plant tolerance to drought, high temperatures, and pathogen attacks. The results of the study indicate that the application of these genetic technologies can significantly stabilize crop yields under uncertain climate conditions, as well as strengthen food security and the sustainability of agricultural systems. In conclusion, the integration of genetic breakthroughs into plant breeding programs is crucial for building adaptive and resilient agricultural systems against climate change. However, its implementation requires cross-sector collaboration and support from policy and further research.

Global climate change is the biggest threat to the agriculture, leading to environmental stresses thereby, reducing crop quality and yield. For a sustainable food future along with demand and supply, economic accessibility to the galloping population, a 25-70% increase in agricultural productivity is sufficient. To meet these universal targets, developing climate-resilient crops will rebalance the prevailing discourse on the agricultural narrative of food security. Although, traditional plant breeding tools have uplifted the agricultural practices for developing improved crop plants but the cumbersome duration of conventional breeding limits availability of new varieties/plants for cultivation. To exaggerate this process, the recently developed technologies of genome editing, such as CRISPR/Cas9, are accurate and efficient solutions by enabling targeted alterations in plant genomes to enhance desirable traits for crop improvement. Moreover, these gene editing technologies are preferable over GM crops due to modifications in the host genome itself than the insertion of any foreign gene into it. Additionally, the use of SDN technology for edits pertaining to SDN-1 and SDN-2 category are categorised as non-transgenic, hence, safe to use. This review is briefly compiled including evolution of different genome editing strategies, highlighting its advantages in developing crops resistant to both biotic and abiotic stresses, e.g. salt tolerance, drought resistance, and disease resistance to ensure stable food production in a changing climate.

This book explores the impact of climate change on agriculture and our future ability to produce the crops which are the foundation of the human diet. The sustainability of agriculture is being challenged by climate change and rising food demand from a larger and wealthier human population. Humanity faces a global food deficit unless the efficiency and resilience of crop production is improved. This work addresses the specific climate change issues and explore the potential for genomics assisted breeding of improved crops with greater yield and tolerance to the stresses associated with predicted climate change scenarios. Within the coming decades challenges to international food production will occur like no other time in human history, and a substantial increase in the production of food is essential if we are to continue to feed the growing human population. There is an urgent need to increase crop yield, quality and stability of production, enhancing the resilience of crops to climate variability and increasing the productivity of minor crops to diversify food production. Improvements in agricultural practice and the increased use of fertilisers and pesticides have increased food production over the last few decades, however it is now considered that further such improvements are limited. The science of genomics offers the greatest potential for crop improvement. Through the application of genomics technology it is possible to accelerate the breeding of major crops, bring current orphan crops into accelerated agricultural breeding programs and convert diverse non-crop species into future crops adapted to the changing climate. Through this process we can help secure the food supply for the coming generations

Crop resilience is crucial in the face of climate change, as agricultural regions face unprecedented challenges such as rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased extreme weather events. These changes impact food security, crop yields, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide. Crops face threats from heat stress, changing pest and disease dynamics, water scarcity, and unpredictable growing seasons. Crop resilience involves a complex interplay of genetics, environmental factors, and agricultural practices. Researchers and agricultural scientists are exploring innovative approaches like selective breeding, genetic modification, and precision agriculture to enhance crop resilience. Integrating traditional knowledge and indigenous farming practices into modern agricultural strategies is essential for securing food production, ensuring the sustainability of agricultural systems, conserving biodiversity, and supporting community resilience in an uncertain climate future. Crop resilience is central to ensuring global food security, supporting rural livelihoods, preserving ecosystems, and advancing sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change challenges. Biochar, a climate-resilient agricultural amendment, is gaining attention for its role in enhancing agricultural sustainability and mitigating climate change. Its porous structure and high carbon content sequester carbon dioxide, improve soil health, and reduce nutrient leaching. Biochar's porous nature fosters a rich microbial community, aids in nutrient cycling, and aids in rehabilitating degraded soils. It also reduces synthetic fertilizer requirements and environmental pollution. Climate change significantly impacts crop agriculture, disrupting traditional growth patterns and threatening global food security. High temperatures cause heat stress, while droughts and floods cause soil desiccation, impairing crop yields. Increased plant diseases and pests spread, while higher CO2 levels stimulate photosynthesis but reduce essential nutrients. Rising temperatures disrupt vegetative and reproductive growth phases, pollination, and seed formation, compromising crop quality and market value. Biochar is a porous material formed through pyrolysis, a process where organic biomass is decomposed under limited oxygen conditions. It is primarily carbon-rich but contains hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and minerals. As a soil amendment, biochar is a stable carbon sink with a high carbon content of 70-90%. Its porous structure allows it to efficiently adsorb and retain water, nutrients, and organic compounds. Its large surface area facilitates interactions with soil microbes and nutrient ions, and its high CEC helps in nutrient retention and soil fertility.

Editorial and News

This comprehensive study thoroughly examines the current state of millet production in Chhattisgarh, India, with a multifaceted approach. It encompasses an in-depth analysis of various factors influencing millet production in the region, ranging from environmental conditions to agricultural practices and government initiatives. Millets, often called “smart food,” are resilient crops that can thrive in drought-prone areas while demanding significantly less water than other staple grains like wheat and rice. The research underscores millets’ remarkable nutritional value and health benefits, highlighting their significance in addressing the dual challenges of malnutrition and climate change. Millets have the potential to play a pivotal role in ensuring food security and mitigating the impact of climate change, making their resurgence a matter of global importance. This research underscores the growing importance of millets as a resilient and nutritious crop and a potential solution to pressing global challenges. By assessing their production, nutritional benefits, and consumer perceptions, this study provides insights that can drive policy and industry efforts to harness the full potential of millets in promoting food security, mitigating climate change, and advancing healthier dietary choices.

Climate change will pose risks for the world’s food supply in the coming decades; this comes at a time when the global demand for food is expected to soar based on 2050 world population estimates. It is important to recognize that climate change will necessitate temporal and geographical shifts in food production, but will most likely not result in the collapse of our food systems. However, because of differences in the severity of how climate change will affect agriculture, regional and temporal changes in production and harvest-time will challenge the existing and sometimes outdated agricultural infrastructure with respect to collection, storage, transportation, and distribution of food. Increasing regional and global urbanization will further perturb these systems. Adaptation to climate change with respect to crop and food animal production will have to occur at multiple temporal, seasonal, and geospatial levels. Other major adaptation measures will have to occur with respect to crop selection, genetics, CO2 and temperature sensitivity, and resilience of crops and food animals, water resources, and mitigation of invasive species. Technology, including sophisticated Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based modeling, coupled with publically available soil and weather data that help farmers optimize production and conservation will be essential toward adaptation. Communication of this type of localized technical information to agricultural stakeholders by national, federal, and state entities is beginning to occur in order to help farmers adapt and prepare for extreme events associated with climate change. As the largest agricultural state in the USA, California has developed a robust mitigation and adaptation strategy that may be useful for other nation-states.

Background: Historical records and increased scientific consensus provide strong evidence that the global climate is changing. Future climate change would lead to an increase in climate variability and the frequency and intensity of extreme events. Agriculture that is dependent on climate conditions is inherently sensitive to climate changes. Today’s world agriculture has gone through challenges from population growth and has adapted to changing economic conditions, technology and resource availabilities. But uncertainty remains concerning the ability of agricultural systems to adapt to climate change. Thus, climate change adaptation of the essence for a resilient food crop production system requires economic transformation by arrangement of institutional and technology. Methods: This study uses the Ricardian model to examine the economic impact of climate change on agriculture in Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. The net farm revenue is regressed against climate variable (temperature and precipitation), soil and socio-economic variables to help determine the factors that influence variability in net farm revenues. The study was based on the data from a survey of 400 smallholder farming households interviewed across the zone. Result: The Ricardian model analysis shows the coefficients of summer, autumn and winter temperature are positive whereas the coefficient of spring temperature is negative. Regarding the precipitation, the coefficients of summer and spring precipitation are positive while coefficients of autumn and winter precipitation are negative. The marginal impact analysis results show an increase in summer and spring temperatures has mostly negative effects on net farm revenues implying that further temperature increases would be harmful to agricultural activities while increases in autumn temperatures increase net farm revenues in the study area. The summer and spring precipitation would increase the net farm revenue but the autumn precipitation reduces the farm revenue. The elasticity results show that net farm revenues are highly sensitive to changes in climate and the elasticity is relatively high for both summer temperature and precipitation. The impacts of climate change under the three special Reports on Emission Scenarios, (Canadian General Circulation Model, Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research and Parallel Climate Model) predicted that by 2100 net farm revenues would decrease across all farms per hectare by US$ 942.83, US$ 1048.16 and US$ 1024.32 respectively. The finding suggests there is a great need for the concerned bodies to provide up-to-date information about climate change and rainfall patterns in the forthcoming season so that the farmers make informed decisions and develop adaptation strategies.

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in crop breeding for climate change resilience: Implications for smallholder farmers in Africa

Planet Earth has experienced many dramatic atmospheric and climatic changes throughout its 4.5-billion-year history that have profoundly impacted the evolution of life as we know it. Photosynthetic organisms, and specifically plants, have played a paramount role in shaping the Earth's atmosphere through oxygen production and carbon sequestration. In turn, the diversity of plants has been shaped by historical atmospheric and climatic changes: plants rose to this challenge by evolving new developmental and metabolic traits. These adaptive traits help plants to thrive in diverse growth conditions, while benefiting humanity through the production of food, raw materials, and medicines. However, the current rapid rate of climate change caused by human activities presents unprecedented new challenges to the future of plants. Here, we discuss the potential effects of modern climate change on plants, with specific attention to plant specialized metabolism. We explore potential avenues of future scientific investigations, powered by cutting-edge methods such as synthetic biology and genome engineering, to better understand and mitigate the consequences of rapid climate change on plant fitness and plant usage by humans.

From Pharma to Farm Can CRISPR Feed the World?