Adaptation Research Articles

Biological adaptation to a germ-free environment should not be mistaken as a burden for animals

Biological adaptation to a germ-free environment should not be mistaken as a burden for animals

The Status of Wild Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (C.C. Gmel.) Hegi) Populations in Georgia (South Caucasus)

Repeated expeditions across various regions of Georgia in the early 2000s led to the identification of 434 wild grapevine individuals (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (C.C. Gmel.) Hegi) across 127 different sites, with 45% of these sites containing only a single vine and only 7% more than 9 vines. A total of 70 accessions were propagated in a germplasm collection, 41 of them were descripted from the ampelographic point of view and 32 from the phenological one. The geographical and ecological analysis confirmed that wild grapevines primarily grow in humid environments with warm and fully humid climates, often near rivers. They favor deep, fertile, and evolved soils, mainly alluvial and cinnamonic types (80%), with a marginal presence on strongly eroded soils. Their main natural vegetations are forests and open woodlands, with some individuals in the Southeast found in steppes. The altitudinal range spans from 0 to 1200 m, with 80% of vines distributed between 400 and 900 m. The phenological analysis revealed significant differences among the accessions but no difference among populations, with only a slight variation in bud-break timing, indicating a high level of synchronicity overall. Flowering timing proved to be the most uniform stage, suggesting minimal environmental pressure on genetic adaptation. The mature leaf morphology exhibited significant polymorphism, though leaves were generally three- or five-lobed, weak-wrinkling, and -blistering, with a low density of hairs. Bunch and berry morphology were more uniform. Bunches were consistently very small, cylindrical, and never dense or winged. Berries were also very small, mostly globular, always blue-black in color, and non-aromatic. A striking feature was the frequency of red flesh coloration, which ranged from weak to strong, with uncolored flesh being rare. The Georgian population of wild grapevines was found to be fragmented, often consisting of scattered single individuals or small groups. Therefore, we believe it is urgent for Georgia to implement specific protection measures to preserve this vital genetic resource.

Exploring The Variety of Jaran Kepang Art: Unique Explorations From Javanese

This article explores the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT by analyzing the form, function, and meaning of Jaran Kepang art across Java. The research investigates how ChatGPT can aid in understanding and preserving traditional cultural arts like Jaran Kepang. ChatGPT offers advanced methods for data analysis, pattern recognition, and preservation of intangible cultural heritage. This study employs cultural anthropology and traditional communication theories, enhanced by ChatGPT-driven analysis, to examine Jaran Kepang's regional differences and thematic patterns. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the research combines literature review, direct observation, and ChatGPT technologies to analyze data. Central Java's Jaran Kepang emphasizes mystical and spiritual elements to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. East Java's version, associated with legends like Ki Sasmita, involves trance performances and moral storytelling. In West Java, linked to the spread of Islam by Sunan Gunung Jati, the art features diverse horse forms in rituals reinforcing community identity. ChatGPT technologies facilitate the analysis of these variations, revealing how each region's Jaran Kepang reflects local adaptation and cultural evolution. The research underscores ChatGPT's potential in enhancing academic knowledge of Javanese culture and advocating for preservation efforts, ensuring traditional arts' legacy in a rapidly advancing technological era.Keywords: jaran kepang; ChatGPT; Javanese culture; mystical value; legend

Spiny mice (Acomys) have evolved cellular features to support regenerative healing.

Spiny mice (Acomys spp.) are warm-blooded (homeothermic) vertebrates whose ability to restore missing tissue through regenerative healing has coincided with the evolution of unique cellular and physiological adaptations across different tissue types. This review seeks to explore how these bizarre rodents deploy unique or altered injury response mechanisms to either enhance tissue repair or fully regenerate excised tissue compared to closely related, scar-forming mammals. First, we examine overall trends in healing Acomys tissues, including the cellular stress response, the ability to activate and maintain cell cycle progression, and the expression of certain features in reproductive adults that are normally associated with embryos. Second, we focus on specific cell types that exhibit precisely regulated proliferation to restore missing tissue. While Acomys utilize many of the same cell types involved in scar formation, these cells exhibit divergent activation profiles during regenerative healing. Considered together, current lines of evidence support sustained deployment of proregenerative pathways in conjunction with transient activation of fibrotic pathways to facilitate regeneration and improve tissue repair in Acomys.

The Calicophoron daubneyi genome provides new insight into mechanisms of feeding, eggshell synthesis and parasite-microbe interactions

BackgroundThe rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, is the major paramphistome species infecting ruminants within Europe. Adult flukes reside within the rumen where they are in direct contact with a unique collection of microorganisms. Here, we report a 1.76-Gb draft genome for C. daubneyi, the first for any paramphistome species.ResultsSeveral gene families have undergone specific expansion in C. daubneyi, including the peptidoglycan-recognition proteins (PGRPs) and DM9 domain-containing proteins, which function as pattern-recognition receptors, as well as the saposin-like proteins with putative antibacterial properties, and are upregulated upon arrival of the fluke in the microbe-rich rumen. We describe the first characterisation of a helminth PGRP and show that a recombinant C. daubneyi PGRP binds to the surface of bacteria, including obligate anaerobes from the rumen, via specific interaction with cell wall peptidoglycan. We reveal that C. daubneyi eggshell proteins lack L-DOPA typically required for eggshell crosslinking in trematodes and propose that C. daubneyi employs atypical eggshell crosslinking chemistry that produces eggs with greater stability. Finally, although extracellular digestion of rumen ciliates occurs within the C. daubneyi gut, unique ultrastructural and biochemical adaptations of the gastrodermal cells suggest that adult flukes also acquire nutrients via uptake of volatile fatty acids from rumen fluid.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that unique selective pressures, associated with inhabiting a host environment so rich in microbial diversity, have driven the evolution of molecular and morphological adaptations that enable C. daubneyi to defend itself against microorganisms, feed and reproduce within the rumen.

Genomic and Metabolomic Analyses of Streptomyces albulus with Enhanced ε-Poly-l-lysine Production Through Adaptive Laboratory Evolution

ε-poly-l-lysine (ε-PL), a natural food preservative, has garnered widespread attention. It is mainly produced by Streptomyces albulus, but the production by wild-type strains fails to meet the demands of industrialization. To address this issue, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) was successfully employed in this study, subjecting S. albulus CICC 11022 to environmental stresses such as acidic pH and antibiotics (rifampicin, gentamicin, and streptomycin). As a result of ALE, an evolutionary strain S. albulus C214 was obtained, exhibiting an increase in ε-PL production and cell growth by 153.23% and 234.51%, respectively, as compared with the original strain. Genomic and metabolic analyses revealed that mutations occurred in genes responsible for transcriptional regulation, transporter, cell envelope, energy metabolism, and secondary metabolite synthesis, as well as the enrichment of metabolites involved in the biosynthesis of ε-PL. These findings hold great significance for elucidating the mechanism underlying ε-PL synthesis.

Adaptive evolution of stress response genes in parasites aligns with host niche diversity

BackgroundStress responses are key the survival of parasites and, consequently, also the evolutionary success of these organisms. Despite this importance, our understanding of the evolution of molecular pathways dealing with environmental stressors in parasitic animals remains limited. Here, we tested the link between adaptive evolution of parasite stress response genes and their ecological diversity and species richness. We comparatively investigated antioxidant, heat shock, osmoregulatory, and behaviour-related genes (foraging) in two model parasitic flatworm lineages with contrasting ecological diversity, Cichlidogyrus and Kapentagyrus (Platyhelminthes: Monopisthocotyla), through whole-genome sequencing of 11 species followed by in silico exon bait capture as well as phylogenetic and codon analyses.ResultsWe assembled the sequences of 48 stress-related genes and report the first foraging (For) gene orthologs in flatworms. We found duplications of heat shock (Hsp) and oxidative stress genes in Cichlidogyrus compared to Kapentagyrus. We also observed positive selection patterns in genes related to mitochondrial protein import (Hsp) and behaviour (For) in species of Cichlidogyrus infecting East African cichlids—a host lineage under adaptive radiation. These patterns are consistent with a potential adaptation linked to a co-radiation of these parasites and their hosts. Additionally, the absence of cytochrome P450 and kappa and sigma-class glutathione S-transferases in monogenean flatworms is reported, genes considered essential for metazoan life.ConclusionsThis study potentially identifies the first molecular function linked to a flatworm radiation. Furthermore, the observed gene duplications and positive selection indicate the potentially important role of stress responses for the ecological adaptation of parasite species.

The mutational landscape of Staphylococcus aureus during colonisation

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen and a commensal of the human nose and skin. Survival and persistence during colonisation are likely major drivers of S. aureus evolution. Here we applied a genome-wide mutation enrichment approach to a genomic dataset of 3060 S. aureus colonization isolates from 791 individuals. Despite limited within-host genetic diversity, we observed an excess of protein-altering mutations in metabolic genes, in regulators of quorum-sensing (agrA and agrC) and in known antibiotic targets (fusA, pbp2, dfrA and ileS). We demonstrated the phenotypic effect of multiple adaptive mutations in vitro, including changes in haemolytic activity, antibiotic susceptibility, and metabolite utilisation. Nitrogen metabolism showed the strongest evidence of adaptation, with the assimilatory nitrite reductase (nasD) and urease (ureG) showing the highest mutational enrichment. We identified a nasD natural mutant with enhanced growth under urea as the sole nitrogen source. Inclusion of 4090 additional isolate genomes from 731 individuals revealed eight more genes including sasA/sraP, darA/pstA, and rsbU with signals of adaptive variation that warrant further characterisation. Our study provides a comprehensive picture of the heterogeneity of S. aureus adaptive changes during colonisation, and a robust methodological approach applicable to study in host adaptive evolution in other bacterial pathogens.

Degenerated vision, altered lipid metabolism, and expanded chemoreceptor repertoires enable Lindaspio polybranchiata to thrive in deep-sea cold seeps

BackgroundLindaspio polybranchiata, a member of the Spionidae family, has been reported at the Lingshui Cold Seep, where it formed a dense population around this nascent methane vent. We sequenced and assembled the genome of L. polybranchiata and performed comparative genomic analyses to investigate the genetic basis of adaptation to the deep sea. Supporting this, transcriptomic and fatty acid data further corroborate our findings.ResultsWe report the first genome of a deep-sea spionid, L. polybranchiata. Over long-term adaptive evolution, genes associated with vision and biological rhythmicity were lost, which may indirectly benefit oligotrophy by eliminating energetically costly processes. Compared to its shallow-sea relatives, L. polybranchiata has a significantly higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and expanded gene families involved in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and chromatin stabilization, possibly in response to high hydrostatic pressure. Additionally, L. polybranchiata has broad digestive scope, allowing it to fully utilize the limited food resources in the deep sea to sustain a large population. As a pioneer species, L. polybranchiata has an expanded repertoire of genes encoding potential chemoreceptor proteins, including ionotropic receptors (IRs) and gustatory receptor-like receptors (GRLs). These proteins, characterized by their conserved 3D structures, may enhance the organism’s ability to detect chemical cues in chemosynthetic ecosystems, facilitating rapid settlement in suitable environments.ConclusionsOur results shed light on the adaptation of Lindaspio to the darkness, high hydrostatic pressure, and food deprivation in the deep sea, providing insights into the molecular basis for L. polybranchiata becoming a pioneer species.

Temperature and Host Fruit During Immature Development Shape Adult Life History Traits of Different Ceratitis capitata Populations

Temperature and host fruit availability are key factors influencing the life history traits of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) (Ceratitis capitata). This study examines how developmental temperature and host fruit type affect adult longevity and fecundity in medflies from six populations spanning Southern to Central Europe. Larvae were reared on apples and bitter oranges at three constant temperatures (15, 20, and 25 °C), with pupae maintained under the same thermal conditions until adult emergence. Adults were then kept at 25 °C, with longevity and fecundity recorded daily. The results showed that higher developmental temperatures increased adult lifespan across all populations, regardless of host fruit. Similarly, fecundity rates in ovipositing females were higher at higher temperatures. Reproductive periods (pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition) varied among populations, indicating population-specific responses. These findings underscore how temperature and host fruit availability shape medfly invasion dynamics, highlighting the species’ biological plasticity and adaptation to different environments. This research provides valuable insights for pest management, particularly in the context of climate change, offering strategies to mitigate the spread of medflies into new regions.

Tailoring industrial enzymes for thermostability and activity evolution by the machine learning-based iCASE strategy

The pursuit of obtaining enzymes with high activity and stability remains a grail in enzyme evolution due to the stability-activity trade-off. Here, we develop an isothermal compressibility-assisted dynamic squeezing index perturbation engineering (iCASE) strategy to construct hierarchical modular networks for enzymes of varying complexity. Molecular mechanism analysis elucidates that the peak of adaptive evolution is reached through a structural response mechanism among variants. Furthermore, this dynamic response predictive model using structure-based supervised machine learning is established to predict enzyme function and fitness, demonstrating robust performance across different datasets and reliable prediction for epistasis. The universality of the iCASE strategy is validated by four sorts of enzymes with different structures and catalytic types. This machine learning-based iCASE strategy provides guidance for future research on the fitness evolution of enzymes.

LncRNA NORAD modulates STAT3/STAT1 balance and innate immune responses in human cells via interaction with STAT3

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pivotal regulators of cellular processes. Here we reveal an interaction between the lncRNA NORAD, noted for its role in DNA stability, and the immune related transcription factor STAT3 in embryonic and differentiated human cells. Results from NORAD knockdown experiments implicate NORAD in facilitating STAT3 nuclear localization and suppressing antiviral gene activation. In NORAD-deficient cells, STAT3 remains cytoplasmic, allowing STAT1 to enhance antiviral activity. Analysis of RNA expression data from in vitro experiments and clinical samples demonstrates reduced NORAD upon viral infection. Additionally, evolutionary conservation analysis suggests that this regulatory function of NORAD is restricted to humans, potentially owing to the introduction of an Alu element in hominoids. Our findings thus suggest that NORAD functions as a modulator of STAT3-mediated immune suppression, adding to the understanding of lncRNAs in immune regulation and evolutionary adaptation in host defense mechanisms.

Mitochondrial Genome Characteristics Reveal Evolution of Danxiaorchis yangii and Phylogenetic Relationships

Danxiaorchis yangii is a fully mycoheterotrophic orchid that lacks both leaves and roots, belonging to the genus Danxiaorchis in the subtribe Calypsoinae. In this study, we assembled and annotated its mitochondrial genome (397,867 bp, GC content: 42.70%), identifying 55 genes, including 37 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 16 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs, and conducted analyses of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), repeat sequences, horizontal gene transfers (HGTs), and gene selective pressure (dN/dS). Additionally, we sequenced and assembled its plastome, which has a reduced size of 110,364 bp (GC content: 36.60%), comprising 48 PCGs, 26 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs. We identified 64 potential chloroplast DNA fragments transferred to the mitogenome. Phylogenomic analysis focusing on 33 mitogenomes, with Vitis vinifera as the outgroup, indicated that D. yangii is grouped as follows: D. yangii + ((Dendrobium wilsonii + Dendrobium wilsonii henanense) + Phalaenopsis aphrodite). Phylogenetic analysis based on 83 plastid PCGs from these species showed that D. yangii is grouped as follows: (D. yangii + Pha. aphrodite) + (Den. wilsonii + Den. henanense). Gene selective pressure analysis revealed that most mitochondrial and plastid genes in D. yangii are under purifying selection, ensuring functional stability, and certain genes may have undergone positive selection or adaptive evolution, reflecting the species’ adaptation to specific ecological environments. Our study provides valuable data on the plastomes and mitogenomes of D. yangii and lays the groundwork for future research on genetic variation, evolutionary relationships, and the breeding of orchids.

Evolutionary analysis of genes associated with the sense of balance in semi-aquatic mammals

BackgroundSemi-aquatic mammals represent a transitional phase in the evolutionary spectrum between terrestrial and aquatic mammals. The sense of balance is crucial for mammalian locomotion, and in semi-aquatic mammals, the structural foundation of this sense (the vestibular system) shows distinct morphological adaptations to both aquatic and terrestrial environments compared to their terrestrial counterparts. Despite this, the precise molecular mechanisms driving these adaptations remain elusive. Our study endeavors to unravel the genetic components associated with the sense of balance in semi-aquatic mammals and to examine the evolutionary trajectories of these genes, shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptive evolution of balance perception in semi-aquatic mammals.ResultsWe selected 42 mammal species across 20 orders, 38 families, and 42 genera for analysis. We analyzed a comprehensive set of 116 genes related to the vestibular system's development or function. Our findings indicate that 27 of these genes likely experienced adaptive evolution in semi-aquatic mammals. Particularly, genes such as SLC26A2, SOX10, MYCN, and OTX1 are implicated in collectively orchestrating morphological adaptations in the semicircular canals to suit semi-aquatic environments. Additionally, genes associated with otolith development, including SLC26A2, OC90, and OTOP1, likely regulate otolith sensitivity across various locomotor modes. Moreover, genes linked to vestibular disorders, such as GJB2, GJB6, and USH1C, may provide a molecular foundation for averting vertigo amidst intricate locomotor scenarios in semi-aquatic mammals.ConclusionsOur research offers insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of the sense of balance in semi-aquatic mammals, while also providing a new research direction for the adaptive evolution of mammals undergoing a secondary transition to an aquatic lifestyle.

Identification of pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), a novel gene with spatiotemporal expression in barbule cells during feather development.

Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. PBCF is expressed in barbule cells adjacent to the ramus during pennaceous barbule formation, where these cells fuse with the ramus to establish the feather's branching structure. PBCF expression occurs transiently after melanin pigmentation of the barbule plates but before the expression of barbule-specific keratin 1 (BlSK1). Orthologues of PBCF, predicted to be secreted proteins, are conserved across avian species, with potential homologues detected in reptiles, suggesting an evolutionary lineage-specific adaptation. Additionally, PBCF is expressed in non-vacuolated notochord cells and the extra-embryonic ectoderm of the yolk sac, hinting at its broader developmental significance. The PBCF gene produces two mRNA isoforms via alternative splicing, encoding a secreted protein and a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane-bound protein, indicating functional versatility. These findings suggest that PBCF may be involved as an avian-specific extracellular matrix component in cell adhesion and/or communication, potentially contributing to both feather development and embryogenesis. Further investigation of PBCF's role in feather evolution and its potential functions in other vertebrates could provide new insights into the interplay between development and evolution.

An IS element-driven antisense RNA attenuates the expression of serotype 2 fimbriae and the cytotoxicity of Bordetella pertussis

Insertion sequences (IS) represent mobile genetic elements that have been shown to be associated with bacterial evolution and adaptation due to their effects on genome plasticity. In Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, the numerous IS elements induce genomic rearrangements and contribute to the diversity of the global B. pertussis population. Previously, we have shown that the majority of IS-specific endogenous promoters induce the synthesis of alternative transcripts and thereby affect the transcriptional landscape of B. pertussis. Here, we describe the regulatory RNA Rfi2, which is transcribed from the Pout promoter of the IS481 gene BP1118 antisense to the adjacent fim2 gene encoding the major serotype 2 fimbrial subunit of B. pertussis. Among the classical bordetellae, Rfi2 is unique to B. pertussis, suggesting its specific role in virulence. We show that Rfi2 RNA attenuates fim2 transcription and, consequently, the production of the Fim2 protein. Interestingly, the mutant that does not produce Rfi2 displayed significantly increased cytotoxicity toward human macrophages compared to the parental strain. This observation suggests that the Rfi2-mediated reduction in cytotoxicity represents an evolutionary adaptation of B. pertussis that fine-tunes its interaction with the human host. Given the immunogenicity of Fim2, we further hypothesize that Rfi2-mediated modulation of Fim2 production contributes to immune evasion. To our knowledge, Rfi2 represents the first functionally characterized IS element-driven antisense RNA that modulates the expression of a virulence gene.

Co-profiling of single-cell gene expression and chromatin landscapes in stickleback pituitary

The pituitary gland is a key endocrine gland with various physiological functions including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. It comprises several distinct cell populations that release multiple polypeptide hormones. Although the major endocrine cell types are conserved across taxa, the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression and chromatin organization in specific cell types remain poorly understood. Here, we performed simultaneous profiling of the transcriptome and chromatin landscapes in the pituitary cells of the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), which represents a good model for investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution. We obtained pairwise gene expression and chromatin profiles for 5184 cells under short- and long-day conditions. Using three independent clustering analyses, we identified 16 distinct cell clusters and validated their consistency. These results advance our understanding of the regulatory dynamics in the pituitary gland and provide a reference for future research on comparative physiology and evolutionary biology.

Morphological patterns of the European bison (Bison bonasus) skull

This study aimed to investigate the effects of environmental factors, sexual selection, and genetic variation on skull morphology by examining the skull structure of the European bison, a species at risk of extinction, and comparing it to other bovid species. The skull of the European bison was significantly bigger than that of other species of the tribe Bovini, and the results revealed considerable morphological differences in skull shape compared to other Bovini samples. The bison skull exhibited a broader shape in the frontal region and a more laterally oriented cornual process. The frontal bone also significantly influenced skull shape variation within the European bison subspecies. Also, the findings indicated that cornual processes size significantly affected skull shape. Male Bison had larger skulls and more developed cornual ridges, and these morphological changes in the frontal region are thought to have also influenced the nuchal region, maxillary region, and facial bones. Furthermore, the differences in skull size observed between the Lowland-Pszczyna and Lowland-Białowieża lines, which share a closer origin than the Lowland-Carpathian lines, may reflect environmental and genetic adaptations over time. This research provides a reference point for future studies on the ecological and evolutionary factors influencing bison skull variations, with significant implications for the conservation of this species.

Genome-Wide A → G and C → T Mutations Induced by Functional TadA Variants in Escherichia coli.

The fusion expression of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication-related proteins with nucleotide deaminase enzymes promotes random mutations in bacterial genomes, thereby increasing genetic diversity among the population. Most previous studies have focused on cytosine deaminase, which produces only C → T mutations, significantly limiting the variety of mutation types. In this study, we developed a fusion expression system by combining DnaG (RNA primase) with adenine deaminase TadA-8e (DnaG-TadA) in Escherichia coli, which is capable of rapidly introducing A → G mutations into the E. coli genome, resulting in a 664-fold increase in terms of mutation rate. Additionally, we tested a dual-functional TadA variant, TadAD, and then fused it with DnaG. This construct introduced both C → T and A → G mutations into the E. coli genome, with the mutation rate increased by 370-fold upon coexpression with a uracil glycosylase inhibitor (DnaG-TadAD-UGI). We applied DnaG-TadA and DnaG-TadAD-UGI systems to the adaptive laboratory evolution for Cd2+ and kanamycin resistance, achieving an 8.0 mM Cd2+ and 200 μg/mL kanamycin tolerance within just 17 days and 132 h, respectively. Compared to conventional evolution methods, the final tolerance levels were increased by 320 and 266%, respectively. Our work offers a novel strategy for random mutagenesis in E. coli and potentially other prokaryotic species.

THE EFFICIENCY OF IRRIGATION IN CORN CULTIVATION UNDER THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN SOUTHEASTERN ROMANIA: ADAPTATION AND OPTIMIZATION. A REVIEW

Climate change significantly affects corn cultivation in Romania, leading to an increase in the frequency of droughts and heatwaves, as well as changes in precipitation patterns. In this context, irrigation becomes a crucial solution for maintaining production stability and reducing the risk of agricultural losses.This study analyzes the impact of irrigation systems on corn cultivation, highlighting effective methods of water management under water stress conditions. Different irrigation techniques, such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, were evaluated to optimize water application during the critical stages of plant development.Additionally, the research addresses the genetic adaptation of corn to new climate conditions through the use of drought- and heat-resistant hybrids, which can sustain productivity even during periods of extreme stress.Through climate and agricultural models, we estimated the long-term impact of climate change on corn yields, proposing adaptation scenarios based on sustainable practices, crop rotation, and technological innovations. The results show that optimized irrigation and the selection of climate-adapted hybrids can significantly reduce production losses and support Romanian agriculture in the face of challenges generated by climate change. Our study emphasizes the importance of implementing long-term strategies to maintain sustainable corn production and presents viable solutions for Romanian farmers in the context of current and future climate changes.