Effect of Climate Change on Cereal Crops

Cereal crops are the major source of energy, minerals, and protein for global population. But unfortunately, cereals are under severe stress due to climate change. Additionally, climate change aggravated the intrinsic low concentration of micronutrients in cereal crops. Increases in temperature, change in precipitation patterns, and soil water have reflective consequence on the nutritional quality of the cereal’s grains. Elevated CO₂ [e (CO₂)] can improve photosynthesis and increase water-use efficiency under enough nutrient availability. However, positive response of plant to e (CO₂) has been overcome by the adverse effects of change in climate on grain quality, particularly in wheat, maize, and rice. To combat with climate change positively research should focus on introducing climate change compatible cultivars, improved crop management practices, and reduced the knowledge gap to minimize the impacts of climate change on cereal crops.