Impacts of Climate Change and Mitigation Strategies for Some Abiotic and Biotic Constraints Influencing Fruit Growth and Quality

• Published in: Plants (Basel) 2024-07, Vol.13 (14), p.1942
• Main Authors: Bacelar, Eunice, Pinto, Teresa, Anjos, Rosário, Morais, Maria Cristina, Oliveira, Ivo, Vilela, Alice, Cosme, Fernanda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural industry; Agricultural production; California; canopy; canopy management; climate; Climate change; Climate prediction; Climatic changes; Climatic conditions; Cold; Competitiveness; Constraints; Consumer preferences; Crop production; Crop yields; Crops; Economics; Environmental impact; Environmental risk; environmental stress; Food industry; Food production; Fruit; fruit quality; fruiting; Fruits; gene editing techniques; integrated pest management; Natural resources; Physiological effects; Plant reproduction; Pollinators; Portugal; profitability; Quality management; Seasonal variations; Soil fertility; species; Sustainable agriculture; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 2223-7747; 2223-7747
• DOI: 10.3390/plants13141942

Factors such as extreme temperatures, light radiation, and nutritional condition influence the physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes associated with fruit development and its quality. Besides abiotic stresses, biotic constraints can also affect fruit growth and quality. Moreover, there can be interactions between stressful conditions. However, it is challenging to predict and generalize the risks of climate change scenarios on seasonal patterns of growth, development, yield, and quality of fruit species because their responses are often highly complex and involve changes at multiple levels. Advancements in genetic editing technologies hold great potential for the agricultural sector, particularly in enhancing fruit crop traits. These improvements can be tailored to meet consumer preferences, which is crucial for commercial success. Canopy management and innovative training systems are also key factors that contribute to maximizing yield efficiency and improving fruit quality, which are essential for the competitiveness of orchards. Moreover, the creation of habitats that support pollinators is a critical aspect of sustainable agriculture, as they play a significant role in the production of many crops, including fruits. Incorporating these strategies allows fruit growers to adapt to changing climate conditions, which is increasingly important for the stability of food production. By investing in these areas, fruit growers can stay ahead of challenges and opportunities in the industry, ultimately leading to increased success and profitability. In this review, we aim to provide an updated overview of the current knowledge on this important topic. We also provide recommendations for future research.