Climate Change and Plant Breeding: Preparing for the Future

Abstract

The food security of nations plays a determining role in today's and tomorrow's global agenda. Agriculture, which is the guarantor of food security, ranks among the sectors most affected by ongoing climate change. This critical environmental issue is broadly transforming weather patterns, temperatures, and ecosystems worldwide, impacting terrestrial and marine habitats. These gradual, long-term climatic shifts will inevitably influence agri-food systems, food production, and human livelihoods. Climate change, which has engulfed the entire world, makes the effects of abiotic and biotic stress conditions on plants more apparent. Unlike the gradually observed climatic changes over the years, the increasing frequency of extreme events makes the rapid development of new plant varieties essential. Considering the fact that the world has already warmed by 1°C compared to pre-industrial levels, it can be argued that—without a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions—this value will rise sharply after 2030. The increase in temperatures, the decrease in water resources, the irregularity of rainfall and, the insufficient rainfall during critical plant growth stages, the increase in severity of droughts, the aggressive spread of diseases, and the rapid emergence of new pathotypes underscore the paramount importance of plant breeding. In order to mitigate the agricultural impacts of climate change, it is essential not only to protect agricultural lands and modernize irrigation techniques but also- and most importantly- to develop resilient plant species. In addition to developing plant species resistant to heat, drought, cold and salinity, developing plant species resistant to diseases and pests, and introducing new productive and high-quality varieties to the market are indispensable for plant breeding. This approach enables better management of agricultural inputs and water needs while promoting soil health and reclamation. In addition, with climate-compatible plant breeding studies, more effective plant production patterns are created in agricultural production systems. Ensuring food security, maintaining ecological continuity, and effectively utilizing agricultural lands are all achievable through plant breeding. The continuously advancing new technologies are effectively utilized in breeding and in solving agricultural problems, thereby allowing for the anticipation of challenges that may arise in the future.