Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
7.15
CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENT GENES/ALLELES
Because of climate change, abiotic stress factors negatively impact the
agricultural production systems world over. The islands are rich center of
biodiversity and plant species are observed in different climatic situations,
that is, dry season and wet season as well as in soil conditions like normal
soil and seawater affected soils. These crops can be taken up as potential
source of abiotic stress tolerance genes for transfer staple food sources.
Further, the island biodiversity have some of the biotic stress tolerant plant
species, which can be used as source of genes for transferring in com-
mercial crops. The identification of CARI- Brinjal-1 as source of bacterial
wilt resistance is a good example for commercial exploitation. These gene
sources amply support the much-needed genetic enhancement for mitigat-
ing the climate change impact.
7.16
SEA AFFECTED LAND UTILIZATION
Around 8000 ha area is affected by seawater during
Tsunami
(2004), for
its effective utilization a complete package of technology for rehabilitation
was developed using Morinda as a representative crop. It included soil
mounting, specific planting procedures, saline tolerant genotypes, graft-
ing techniques, post planting practices, etc. The phytochemical analysis of
Morinda was done for both normal soil grown plants as well as seawater
engrossed lands. The observations of trainee farmers from different is-
lands and scientific community were supportive for next stage adoption
of the technology. Similar research efforts were required for other crops
as well because seawater inundation will increase in coming years (Singh
and Rai, 2007).
THE THRUST RESEARCH AREAS IN ISLAND HORTICULTURE TO
MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT
• Refinement of existing technologies for horticultural crops in islands
for mitigating the impact of climate change on their productivity.
• Identification and utilization of climate change resilient crops and
genes from existing biodiversity of horticultural crops.
