Plant breeding and climate changes

摘要: Climate change is now unequivocal, particularly in terms of increasing temperature, CO 2 concentration, widespread melting snow and ice rising global average sea level, while the increase frequency drought very probable but not as certain. However, climate changes are new some them have had dramatic impacts, such appearance leaves about 400 million years ago a response to drastic decrease birth agriculture due end last age 11 000 collapse civilizations late Holocene droughts between 5000 1000 ago. The that occurring at present will – already having an adverse effect on food production quality with poorest farmers countries most risk. consequence expected or increased abiotic stresses heat drought, biotic (pests diseases). In addition, also cause losses biodiversity, mainly more marginal environments. Plant breeding has addressed both stresses. Strategies adaptation may include accurate matching phenology moisture availability using photoperiod-temperature response, access suite varieties different duration escape avoid predictable occurrences stress critical periods crop life cycles, improved water use efficiency re-emphasis population form evolutionary participatory plant provide buffer against unpredictability. ICARDA, collaboration scientists Iran, Algeria, Jordan, Eritrea Morocco, recently started programmes for barley durum wheat. These measures go hand resistance efficient system variety delivery farmers.