Potential impacts of global climate change on citrus cultivation

Abstract

Climate change has a dramatic effect on growth and productivity of various crops, there are various environmental elements affect the life cycle of annual and perennial plants, like high temperature, heatwaves, drought, cool temperature and frost, rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Climate change represents a dangerous challenge for mankind, there need for an efficient strategy to guarantee adequate crop production for humanity. Citrus is one of the main fruits all over the world, citrus can be grown in different climatic zones ranging from tropical, subtropical, arid and semi-arid areas, citrus grows properly in the range from 12.8 to 37˚C, which considered the optimum temperature for citrus growth and fruiting, while, sever high temperature (above 44-45˚C) stopped citrus growth completely. Low temperature considered the limiting factor for the geographical distribution of citrus, low temperature could stoop metabolism activity, whereas, chilling and frost cause severe injuries and demolish the whole tree. Temperature fluctuation affects negatively growth, decreases total yield, and reduces fruit quality particularly when occurred during the maturity stage, also, there are negative effects of heatwaves on the production of different citrus varieties particularly seedless varieties like Navel orange, and some Mandarin and lemon cultivars. On another side, rising carbon dioxide has positive effects on the growth of citrus seedlings and trees productivity.