Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
decrease vegetable yields and quality, although soluble solids and specific
weight may increase in some crops. Leafy greens and most cole crops are
generally considered to be cool-season crops, so heat stress during the
growing season would be detrimental to these species. High-temperature
effects on lettuce and spinach and low-temperature effects on cole crops
include induction of flowering and elongation of the seed stalk. Perennial
crops also require an overwinter cool period. Thus, planting dates, produc-
tion areas and cultivars may need to be adjusted if temperatures change.
1.4
HI-TECH HORTICULTURE
Hi-tech horticulture is now widely employed for the profitable commer-
cial production of horticultural products. In general, hi-tech horticultural
practices include practices that demand high level of precision for applica-
tion of inputs and management of the crop right from sowing to harvest-
ing. Examples of hi-tech horticulture are biotechnological tools used for
characterization and developing new superior strains, cryopreservation,
micro propagation, greenhouse or protected cultivation, hydroponics, drip
and sprinkler irrigation, fertigation, integrated pest management (IPM),
integrated nutrient management (INM), molecular diagnostics, HDP
mechanization for harvesting, grading, packing and storage of fruits, veg-
etables and flowers, and quality management of value-added horticultural
products throughout the entire cold chain.
Precision farming of fruits and vegetables is also sometimes synony-
mous to hi-tech horticulture as it focuses on the very latest techniques and
innovations with respect to production of the crops. It implies that the
grower knows precisely how to steer his production process to achieve
optimal yield and quality of the concerned crop. By combining minimal
input with maximal output, without wasting resources, he not only pro-
motes environmental well-being, but also increases his profitability. In this
article, discussion is limited to important technologies that are helpful in
providing opportunities for reducing the impact of climate change in fu-
ture, as climate change has been predicted to result in disruption of many
farming or crop production systems. The Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion (FAO) predicts a 15-20% fall in global agricultural production by
2080. Consequently, developing suitable strategies to mitigate the impact
of climate change is one of the biggest challenges for plant scientists today.
