What Are The Optimal Temperature Thresholds And Vapor Pressure Deficit Ranges For Inducing Systemic Acquired Acclimation In Wheat Cultivars, And How Can These Thresholds Be Integrated Into Decision-support Systems To Enhance Crop Resilience To Heat Stress Under Projected Climate Change Scenarios In South Asia?

by ADMIN 312 views

To address the challenge of enhancing wheat resilience to heat stress in South Asia through systemic acquired acclimation (SAA), the following approach is proposed:

Optimal Conditions for Inducing SAA in Wheat

  1. Temperature Thresholds:

    • The optimal temperature for inducing SAA in wheat is suggested to be between 30°C and 35°C. This range is expected to trigger acclimation without causing damage, especially during critical growth stages such as flowering and grain filling.

  2. Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) Ranges:

    • A moderate VPD range of 1.5 to 3.0 kPa is proposed. This range is considered sufficient to induce stress and promote acclimation without overwhelming the plant's ability to cope.

Integration into Decision-Support Systems (DSS)

  1. Weather Monitoring and Forecasting:

    • Utilize real-time weather data and forecasts to monitor approaching temperature and VPD thresholds. This allows for timely alerts to farmers to implement stress mitigation strategies.

  2. Irrigation Management:

    • Schedule irrigation based on VPD levels to optimize water use, ensuring plants receive adequate moisture without overwatering.

  3. Crop Models and Simulation:

    • Employ crop models to simulate wheat growth under various climatic conditions, helping predict responses to heat stress and inform management decisions.

  4. Adjustment of Sowing Dates:

    • Use climate predictions to adjust planting times, ensuring critical growth stages occur outside peak heat periods, thus avoiding severe stress.

  5. Genetic Traits and Breeding:

    • Identify and breed wheat varieties with enhanced SAA traits, providing recommendations through DSS on optimal cultivars for specific regions.

  6. Heat Stress Monitoring:

    • Deploy tools like thermal imaging and satellite data to monitor stress levels and provide actionable insights for mitigation.

Conclusion

By determining the optimal temperature and VPD thresholds for SAA and integrating these into a comprehensive DSS, farmers can be empowered to enhance wheat resilience against heat stress. This approach combines real-time data, predictive modeling, and adaptive management strategies, tailored to the specific climatic conditions of South Asia. Further research is recommended to refine these thresholds and explore regional variations in wheat cultivars.