ABSTRACT
The rapidly increasing global population and enhanced usage of water for social and economic development have led to an alarming situation for sustainable crop production (Wallace et al. 2003). The agricultural sector is the largest consumer of freshwater resources, around 70%, and this is higher (90%) in developing regions of the world (Margat et al. 2005). The present global climate change trend, increasing population pressure, and shrinking water resources have created threats to crop production in different parts of the world, especially Asia, where two-thirds of the global population reside (Khush 2005).
