Smart Net-Zero

December 04, 2023 | Current Biology |  

Introduction: To ensure food security for a burgeoning global population, a 28% increase in global agricultural production is required over the next decade. However, climate-related constraints and the need for more arable land clash with diminishing water availability. Paradigm-shifting advances in crop breeding are essential, necessitating the safe application of genetic technologies while considering environmental, economic, and social factors. Scientists from University of Leeds in UK, University of Salamanka in Spain, Federal University in Brazil review innovative approaches to mitigate the impact of environmental stresses on agriculture, ranging from genomics to soil microbiome manipulation.

Key findings: To address challenges in understanding the molecular mechanisms of crop responses to climate change, identifying resilient crop phenotypes, and exploring the impact of management practices and the microbiome, the researchers proposed collaborative research networks to promote holistic solutions that rest on integration of high-throughput phenotyping and genotyping, crop management, modeling, as well as stakeholder engagement.

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Fig. | Understanding and harnessing gene bank diversity for developing stress-tolerant varieties.