Effect of climate change on major tropical and sub-tropical fruit crops

Abstract

The climate of earth, although relatively stable for the past 10,000 years or so, has always been changing, mainly due to natural cause such as volcanic activity. But since the 1900s more rapid changes have taken place and these are thought to be mainly man-made. Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and variability of its properties and that persist for an extended period, typically decades. Climate change is becoming an observed reality, very likely due to the increase of anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentration. We have to expect rise in average temperatures, atmospheric CO2 concentration, soil salinity in some areas and receiving erratic rainfall. Warm temperature increased the rate and percentages of anther dehiscence and fertilization in mango compared to cool temperatures. Night temperature more than 17 0C during flower induction period in December showed detrimental effect leading to poor flowering and ultimately affecting the crop yield.