5.12.2023

Crop responses and adaptation to climate change

Ing. Karel Klem, Ph.D.

(Global Change Research Institute CAS)

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Climate change brings simultaneously a long-term change or increased variability of several climatic factors such as elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, drought episodes interspersed with heavy rainfall, periods of high temperatures, etc. Understanding the impacts of expected climate change therefore requires an understanding of the interactions of the various factors, which may be additive, synergistic, or even antagonistic. Moreover, understanding the possible impacts on crop productivity and quality is made more difficult by the non-linearity of the response and the change in sensitivity associated with the growth stage at which the extreme events occur. From an adaptation point of view, very different morphological, physiological, or biochemical traits are then required and may contribute to resistance to adverse environmental conditions such as drought at different growth stages or under different soil conditions. However, in addition to crop breeding and the use of traits that contribute to adaptation, it is also necessary to emphasise the need for adaptation of crop management, which contributes to increasing soil organic matter content and thus to increased water retention.

CV of the speaker HERE.