Impact of Climate Change on Perennial Vegetables Production and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

Scientific fraternity is concerned about the global climate change because the variations in important climatic factors may have a significant impact on vegetable crop production, jeopardising global and local food security. Climate change may also have a significant impact on global horticultural processes and productivity. The changes in the growth patterns, flowering and fruiting capabilities of many perennial vegetable crops are inevitable. These vegetable crops are likely to face significant challenges due to altered seasonal factors, impacting dormancy, acclimation, and subsequent reproduction behaviour. In the result of climate change, new pests and pathogens may become popular and harmful in the locations where their activity was previously restricted. Water and nutrients become scarce in some areas, reducing prospects for cultivating perennial vegetable crops. Climate change modifies genotype x environment interaction for physiological and economic features in the crop plants. However, the abundance of germplasm with the vast range of species and genetic diversity offers a chance to develop climate resilient varieties, which will reduce the impact of climate change and ensure economic benefits to farmers. Modification of current horticultural operations and increased practice of greenhouse technology are some of the options to mitigate the effect of climate change. This chapter discuss the mitigation strategies of perennial vegetables for sustainable horticulture through good agronomic practices, breeding for heat and drought resilience, stimulating new and innovative ideas like grafting technology and genetic engineering to increase perennial vegetable production and quality.