protective structures. Higher temperatures during ripening of berry cause abnormal
colour formation and also increases acidity in the fruit.
Impact of Climate Change on Fruit Crops
Climate change may have direct effect on increasing temperatures, which may have
negative impact on fruit crops, temperate fruit crops as well as tropical and subtropical fruits. Elevated CO 2 and changed precipitation are also considered important,
with direct effects on production technology, delay or early harvest, reduced available irrigation water, increased irrigation cost, increased insect pest attacks,
increased physiological disorders, inferior fruit quality, and lack of suitable cultivars,
and also impacts on soil from excess rainfall and changes in temperature that
negatively impact fruit crops (Nath et al. 2019).
Optimum growth of plants needs a particular temperature for proper development: temperate fruits require low temperature whereas tropical and subtropical fruit
require a medium temperature range. Because of climate change, a rise in a temperature above 1
C may shift major potential areas for fruit crops (Nath et al. 2019).
Temperature increases likely more prominently affect the reproductive biology of
crops, with reduction in the population; hence, dormancy breaking will occur earlier.
High temperature and less moisture increase cracking and sunburn in apples, apricot,
and cherries, and fruit cracking in litchi (Kumar and Kumar 2007). The faster
maturity and quick ripening may reduce the fruit availability period (Kumar 2015),
altering important quality parameters such as synthesis of sugars, organic acids,
antioxidant compounds, peel colour, and firmness (Moretti et al. 2010). Grapes have
higher sugar content and lower levels of tartaric acid when grown under high
temperatures (Kliewer and Lider 1970).
Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
Mango phenological patterns and indirectly the vegetative and reproductive processes have been influenced by climate change, leading to reduced quality and
production. Rainfall and air temperature are significant in the vegetative and phenological phases in mango and are also the two important factors determining the
suitability of an area climate for mango production (Makhmale et al. 2016). Climate
changes have already brought wide changes in flowering and fruiting patterns.
Mango is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, so it can tolerate high
temperature. Mango flowering starts from January onward; a favorable temperature
regime of 27/13
C (day/night) also increases flowers, whereas low temperature
below 10
C with high humidity (>80%) and cloudy weather delay flowering
(Chadha 2015). With high temperature during the night before flowering, a reproductive bud may change to a vegetative bud. Elevated temperature reduces the
flowering period and the number of days for effective pollination. Severe winters
may cause mango malformation.
4 Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies for Fruit Crops
83
colour formation and also increases acidity in the fruit.
Impact of Climate Change on Fruit Crops
Climate change may have direct effect on increasing temperatures, which may have
negative impact on fruit crops, temperate fruit crops as well as tropical and subtropical fruits. Elevated CO 2 and changed precipitation are also considered important,
with direct effects on production technology, delay or early harvest, reduced available irrigation water, increased irrigation cost, increased insect pest attacks,
increased physiological disorders, inferior fruit quality, and lack of suitable cultivars,
and also impacts on soil from excess rainfall and changes in temperature that
negatively impact fruit crops (Nath et al. 2019).
Optimum growth of plants needs a particular temperature for proper development: temperate fruits require low temperature whereas tropical and subtropical fruit
require a medium temperature range. Because of climate change, a rise in a temperature above 1
C may shift major potential areas for fruit crops (Nath et al. 2019).
Temperature increases likely more prominently affect the reproductive biology of
crops, with reduction in the population; hence, dormancy breaking will occur earlier.
High temperature and less moisture increase cracking and sunburn in apples, apricot,
and cherries, and fruit cracking in litchi (Kumar and Kumar 2007). The faster
maturity and quick ripening may reduce the fruit availability period (Kumar 2015),
altering important quality parameters such as synthesis of sugars, organic acids,
antioxidant compounds, peel colour, and firmness (Moretti et al. 2010). Grapes have
higher sugar content and lower levels of tartaric acid when grown under high
temperatures (Kliewer and Lider 1970).
Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
Mango phenological patterns and indirectly the vegetative and reproductive processes have been influenced by climate change, leading to reduced quality and
production. Rainfall and air temperature are significant in the vegetative and phenological phases in mango and are also the two important factors determining the
suitability of an area climate for mango production (Makhmale et al. 2016). Climate
changes have already brought wide changes in flowering and fruiting patterns.
Mango is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, so it can tolerate high
temperature. Mango flowering starts from January onward; a favorable temperature
regime of 27/13
C (day/night) also increases flowers, whereas low temperature
below 10
C with high humidity (>80%) and cloudy weather delay flowering
(Chadha 2015). With high temperature during the night before flowering, a reproductive bud may change to a vegetative bud. Elevated temperature reduces the
flowering period and the number of days for effective pollination. Severe winters
may cause mango malformation.
4 Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies for Fruit Crops
83