Impacts and Mitigation Strategies of Terminal Heat Stress in Wheat: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Heat stress is a major abiotic limitation in semi-arid and subtropical climates. It causes significant production losses for wheat, a major grain crop, of about 6% for every °C that temperatures rise. Terminal heat stress is a major cause of decreased productivity when the grain-filling phase averages over 31°C. Low wheat yields are caused by excessive temperatures at this important development stage. In recent seasons, typical March and April temperatures were 2-3°C higher than normal, worsening terminal heat stress. Wheat yields dropped two to three quintals per acre. These years' rapid spike in North-West India's maximum and minimum temperatures reduced crop productivity by 8–10%. This review summarised the issue's impact and solution. Wheat matured faster in higher temperatures, resulting in early harvests. Both years, maximum temperatures reached 40°C on March 15 and stayed there or higher throughout the harvest season. This review can help researchers understand terminal heat stress and its boundaries. It demonstrates how conservation agriculture, climate-adaptive cropping, heat-tolerant cultivars, and planting window optimization can all lessen terminal heat stress.