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In-Depth Information
agricultural productivity, which is decreasing under envi-
ronmental pressure. The scenario requires an intensive
research for increased adaptation and devising novel
strategies for mitigating the harmful effects of global
warming on crop growth and productivity. Crop adapta-
tion processes can be made more efficient and directed
through targeted modifications of the cellular processes.
Nanotechnology offers a promising strategy for non-intru-
sive engineering of crops under changing climatic condi-
tions. Limitations faced by the conventional technologies
in agriculture can be easily and efficiently addressed by
means of this technology, with respect to the vulnerability
to changing climatic conditions. Nanotechnology holds
the potential to revolutionise agriculture and allied sys-
tems, through the development of efficient nano-delivery
systems, nano-fertilisers, nano-biosensors and so on, for
increasing the growth and productivity. Direct as well as
indirect nano-technological interventions, though still in
their nascent stage, are bound to play a pivotal role in sus-
tainable agricultural development under global warming.
5.1 Introduction
During the past century, the average global temperature rose sig-
nificantly as a consequence of greenhouse effect. This occurs due
to the rise in greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
emitted from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which
traps heat that would otherwise escape from the Earth. The cur-
rent scientific view is that most of the increase in global tempera-
ture is caused due to human activity. As a result, the concentration
of greenhouse gasses increases in the atmosphere, which has led
to an elevation in the Earth's average surface temperature. Most
scientists agree that the planet's rise in temperature will continue
at an increasing rate. Under these circumstances, crop productiv-
ity will be at stake. On the one hand, the increase in temperature
leads to droughts, cracked fields and low rainfall, which adds to
the intensity and frequency of dusty storms, ultimately deplet-
ing the quality of agricultural land and making it permanently
unsuitable for cultivation. On the other, because of the higher
temperatures, the seasons are becoming unstable. Consequently,
the amount of rainfall will be severely affected and hence the
crop productivity. Therefore, under such conditions, crops in
many regions will be prone to environmental stresses. These
changes not only affect plant growth and yield, but also have
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