Effects of Climate Change on Fruit Growing: Risks and Solutions for the Future
Ali İkinci *
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study comprehensively addresses the multidimensional impacts of climate change on fruit growing. Global warming poses serious challenges for fruit growing due to increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events. Increasing temperatures, irregular rainfall regimes, extreme weather events, insufficient winter chilling and water scarcity lead to disruptions in the phenological cycles of fruit trees, with negative consequences on flowering, fruit set and quality. In addition, increased disease and pest pressure further increases the risks in production. To address these negative impacts, strategies such as the development of heat- and pest-resistant fruit varieties, efficient water management, integrated pest control, dissemination of sustainable agricultural practices and the establishment of support mechanisms for farmers play a critical role in increasing the resilience of fruit growing to global warming. The article emphasises the importance of establishing a sustainable fruit production system that is resilient to climate change by acting in cooperation with the agricultural sector, scientists and policy makers.
Keywords: Global warming, fruit growing, sustainable agriculture, phenological changes, pest and disease management, water management