Chinese scientists innovate climate-resilient crops to combat climate change and modify crops according to high temperatures.
As the need for climate-resilient crops becomes increasingly critical, Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in improving crop productivity under high-temperature conditions. Their novel approach addresses the urgent challenge posed by rising global temperatures.
A global temperature rise of two degrees Celsius could lead to an average increase in crop losses of 3 to 13 percent, underscoring the necessity for developing heat-resistant crop varieties to ensure future food security.
Researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences utilized an advanced gene-editing technique to enhance the heat resilience of crops. They introduced a heat-shock element into the LIN5 gene of tomatoes, improving gene expression during heat stress and reducing sugar deficiencies in fruits exposed to high temperatures.
Field and greenhouse tests conducted across various seasons demonstrated that this modification increased tomato yields by 14 to 47 percent under normal conditions and 26 to 33 percent during heat stress. The approach also prevented 56 to 100 percent of heat-induced yield losses, as detailed in a recent study published in the journal Cell.
Additionally, experiments on rice showed that this genetic engineering technique boosted production by 7 to 13 percent in normal conditions and by 25 percent under heat stress, reducing yield losses caused by high temperatures by 41 percent.
These advancements mark significant progress in enhancing crop resilience to climate change, paving the way for the development of climate-smart, high-yield, and stable crops.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, striving for a target of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, further emphasizing the relevance of such innovations.
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