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Climate Change



The exposure of crops increases to what are known as abiotic stress fractures like drought, heat, cold and saline soils.
Extreme weather events are devastating arable land

Meteorologists all over the world are recording more frequent extreme weather events such as failure or displacement of monsoons, and frequent unusual ocean current patterns. This increases the exposure of crops to what are known as abiotic stress fractures like drought, heat, cold and saline soils. Climate change adds another factor which puts pressure on plants: they need more energy to grow. This weakens plants in the long term and makes them more vulnerable to disease.

All green plants undergo photosynthesis, a process which filters the green-house gas CO2 from the air and produces oxygen which animals need to breathe. But plants absorb much less carbon dioxide in very hot, dry weather conditions. They do this to prevent dehydration. Plants reduce their energy consumption to the lowest possible level. As a result, they do not grow as well and harvests can be up to 80 per cent below normal levels.

They also have to defend themselves against pests, micro-organisms and competing plants (this is known as biotic stress).

Using biotechnology to combat climate stress


Senior Scientist of Bayer CropScience Dr. Michael Metzlaff looking at canola cultures in a petri dish.
The Council for Biotechnology estimates that green genetic engineering could boost potential yields by around 25 per cent throughout the world. This is why Bayer CropScience is developing plant biotechnology techniques to immunize crops against stress due to climatic and environmental factors. The company's scientists are working to develop varieties of cereals, maize and rice that can be grown in extreme regions that were not previously suitable for farming. Examples include plants with a high resistance to salt and drought, that tolerate very hot or cold conditions, that can survive on very little nutrient or water input, or that can grow in heavily polluted soil.

Bayer CropScience is conducting research into physiological and genetic principles that can then be transferred to other plants. Initial field trials on plants designed to cope better with temporary lack of water or extreme heat have proved promising. The company is also investigating ways of controlling plant diseases that have been impossible to treat in the past, and of boosting plant properties that are beneficial to yields.

[ last update: Friday, October 17, 2008 ]