A major task of our time is to ensure adequate food supplies for the world´s
current population (now nearing 7 billion) in a sustainable way while
protecting the vital functions and biological diversity of the global
environment. The task of providing for a growing population is likely to be
even more difficult in view of actual and potential changes in climatic
conditions due to global warming, and as the population continues to grow.
Current projections suggest that the world´s temperatures will rise 1.8-4.0 by
2100 and population may reach 8 billion by the year 2025 and some 9 billion by
mid-century, after which it may stabilize. This book addresses these critical
issues by presenting the science needed not only to understand climate change
effects on crops but also to adapt current agricultural systems, particularly
in regard to genetics, to the changing conditions. Crop Adaptation to Climate
Change covers a spectrum of issues related to both crops and climatic
conditions. The first two sections provide a foundation on the factors involved
in climate stress, assessing current climate change by region and covering crop
physiological responses to these changes. The third and final section contains
chapters focused on specific crops and the current research to improve their
genetic adaptation to climate change. Written by an international team of
authors, Crop Adaptation to Climate Change is a timely look at the potentially
serious consequences of climate change for our global food supply, and is an
essential resource for academics, researchers and professionals in the fields
of crop science, agronomy, plant physiology and molecular biology; crop
consultants and breeders; as well as climate and food scientists.
