Drought management strategies in fruit crops: An overview

Abstract

Environmental stresses play crucial role in the productivity, survival and reproductive biology of fruit plants as well as crops. Biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, extreme temperature, scarcity of water, reducing quality of irrigation water and salinity in soil and water are problems which are becoming really acute. Due to their rapid and unpredictable effects, it is becoming very difficult for horticultural scientists and farmers to respond to challenges posed by biotic and biotic stresses. Among these stresses drought stress is considered to be a major threat to sustaining food security under current and more so in future climates. Keeping in mind challenges of drought and quality fruit production in stress prone areas, the present need before researchers and growers is to fight with the challenges posed by drought. There are many approaches like mulching, drip irrigation. Water conservation, use of growth retardants, proper nutrient management, use of antitranspirants and drought tolerant rootstocks through which we can manage these challenges. The use of desirable method under different conditions not only meets the requirement of early and quality production but also provides an alternative approach to mitigate the drought.