Resilient Strategies to Mitigate Negative Heat Stress Consequences in Seed Production of Field Crops

Abstract

Heat stress is one of the most important stresses that need to be addressed for better crop performance and to boost crop yield. A rise in temperature due to global warming affected plant growth and development and also reduces the quality and yield. Most of the field crops are sensitive to heat stress at the reproductive stage, which results in shortening the duration of seed filling and maturity, reducing the pollen fertility and stigma receptivity; thereby reducing the seed setting and seed yield. So, there is a need to mitigate the impact of heat stress in seed production for gaining better quality seeds. Even though plants have some morphological, physiological and biochemical adaptations to tolerate heat stress, additional practices are required for improving the quality and yield of seed crops. Breeding and biotechnological approaches can be used to identify the genes that are tolerant to high temperatures and to develop new varieties with heat stress tolerance. To mitigate the adverse effect of climate change and also to further boost the quality of hybrid seed availability in the country, alternative areas for hybrid seed production among major crops have been identified under AICRP-National Seed Project (crops), and this will help to maintain the adequate production and supply of quality seeds. Changing planting dates, nutrient management and irrigation management also can be practiced for improving crop growth under heat stress conditions. Seed inoculation with bacteria like plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria also improves the tolerance against heat stress by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species. Osmo-protectants have recently been recognized as crucial compounds that positively influence plants exposed to heat stress, as spraying osmoprotectants significantly enhances plant growth and antioxidant activity during heat stress situations. All these will undoubtedly assist in reducing the adverse impacts of heat stress, thereby enhancing plant productivity and food security amidst the present situations of climate change and global warming.