Climate-resilient fruit production: Strategies to mitigate abiotic stress in orchards

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to the global fruit industry due to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, frequent droughts, soil salinization, and extreme weather events. Fruit crops, being perennial and highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations, are particularly vulnerable. The impacts of abiotic stresses manifest as reduced yield, poor fruit set, diminished quality, increased susceptibility to pathogens, and shifting geographical distribution of orchards. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the physiological, molecular, and ecological impacts of climate stress on fruit crops, while highlighting adaptation and mitigation strategies. Emphasis is placed on genetic improvement, rootstock-scion interactions, agronomic interventions, use of plant growth regulators, microbial biostimulants, precision horticulture technologies, and postharvest adaptations. Case studies from apple, grape, banana and citrus production systems are discussed to illustrate practical approaches. Future prospects underline the integration of omics technologies, CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, artificial intelligence, and climate-smart policies to sustain fruit production under changing climate scenarios.