Rutwik Barmukh, Rajeev K. Varshney, R.J. Harper
Provided an integrative overview of strategies for developing climate-resilient crops using genetic interventions and multi-omics approaches. Discussed the role of genome editing, microbiome genomics, and nanotechnology in enhancing crop adaptation and productivity. These interdisciplinary approaches aim to improve adaptation, reduce emissions, and ensure global food and nutrition security.
Climate change poses a critical challenge to global food security by threatening agricultural productivity and sustainability. Moreover, agricultural emissions contribute to climate change. This chapter provides an integrative overview of modern strategies for developing climate-resilient crops. It highlights the role of genetic interventions, genebank genomics, predictive breeding and multi-omics approaches in unlocking genetic diversity and understanding complex stress-response mechanisms. Advances in genome editing, microbiome genomics and nanotechnology are discussed as transformative tools for enhancing crop adaptation, nutrient use efficiency and productivity. The chapter further underscores the importance of enabling policy frameworks, governance mechanisms and digital innovations that facilitate the translation of scientific breakthroughs into sustainable agricultural practices. Taken together, these interdisciplinary approaches provide a roadmap for accelerating genetic gain, improving adaptation to climate change, reducing agricultural emissions and ensuring global food and nutrition security through sustainable, science-driven crop improvement.