Global Warming and Sexual Plant Reproduction: Impact on Crop Productivity

In the last two decades, there has been an unprecedented increase in extreme climatic events which are closely related to the earth’s warming. The adverse effects of global warming on the plants can be seen as disruption of vital processes. Data has shown that reproductive phase of plant’s life cycle can be highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of global warming. High temperatures at the time of flowering can potentially hamper the reproductive output or yield of a plant. In this chapter, we aim to provide insights into the deviations that occur in the reproductive phase of plants in response to high temperature. Research in the area shows that almost all the phases of plant reproduction viz. flower induction, gamete development, plant pollinator interaction, progamic phase and early seed development are severely impacted by the rise in temperature. We especially emphasize on how these changes can threaten global food security by severely impacting the fitness and overall productivity of crop species.