BREEDING CROPS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE: STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES FOR HEAT, DROUGHT, AND FLOOD TOLERANCE

Authors

  • Hannah Boahemaa Addai (Corresponding Author) Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Conficious Nkrumah Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Benjamin Yennuna Konyannik Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Akwasi Agyapong Oppong-Agyemang Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Gladys Alabilla Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Gloria Naa Lamiley Lamptey Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Prosper Ntow Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • James Nii Armah Okine Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Paul Laari Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.
  • Abdul-Wahab Rabiu Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia.

Keywords:

Climate-resilient crops, Heat stress, Drought tolerance, Plant breeding, Crispr-cas9, Food security

Abstract

Climate change intensifies abiotic stresses heat, drought, and flooding jeopardizing global food security by disrupting crop physiology and causing substantial yield losses. While conventional breeding has developed resilient varieties like submergence-tolerant "Scuba" rice and drought-tolerant maize, its slow pace and limited genetic diversity are inadequate for rapidly changing climates. This review synthesizes advances in breeding for climate resilience, highlighting the integration of traditional methods with modern tools. Genomic selection accelerates genetic gain for complex traits, CRISPR enables precise editing of genes for root architecture and stomatal regulation, and speed breeding shortens generation cycles. High-throughput phenomics and artificial intelligence further enhance predictive breeding. However, critical gaps persist, including a lack of multi-stress field validation, underutilized crop wild relatives, and trade-offs between stress tolerance and yield. Future efforts must prioritize integrative strategies that combine genomics, phenomics, and participatory approaches to develop resilient crops capable of sustaining productivity under compound climatic stresses, ensuring food security in the 21st century.

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Published

2025-12-03

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Research Article

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61784/wjafs3021

How to Cite

Addai, H., Nkrumah, C., Konyannik, B., Oppong-Agyemang, A., Alabilla, G., Lamptey, G., Ntow, P., Okine, J., Laari, P., Rabiu, A. (2025). Breeding Crops For Climate Resilience: Strategies And Challenges For Heat, Drought, And Flood Tolerance. Eurasia Journal of Science and Technology, 3(1), 43-60. https://doi.org/10.61784/wjafs3021