High temperatures cause problems for plants, weakening their immune system and making them more vulnerable to infections and pests. Gene editing can be a solution to strengthen your defenses in a changing climate.

Some of the world's most productive agricultural regions, from India to the Midwest, have already set temperature records this year, with potentially worrying consequences for food supplies. Hot days and nights can worsen drought conditions, and it is not the only way in which rising temperatures can harm crops. Under extreme conditions, the molecular machinery inside the plants can stop, causing the failure of the harvest. It is expected that this threat is aggravated by climate change.

However, some plants, including large crops such as corn and wheat, may face additional challenges from future warming because heat undermines an important tool they use to defend against infections. When things get a little warmer than normal levels, plants may be more vulnerable to pests.

Biologists have begun to figure out how this happens, and new research reveals ways to repair plant defenses without slowing their growth. If it can be transferred to real farms, modifying crops in this way can help ensure that food supply keeps pace with population growth in a warming world. Plant immune systems are not as complicated as humans, but produce chemicals in response to bacterial or fungal infections or insect attacks.

Source: Agrolink