The impact of climate change on flowering plants and crops will be more pronounced. Melting of ice cap in the Himalayan regions will reduce chilling required for the flowering of many of the ornamental plants like Rhododendron, Orchid, Tulipa, Alstromerea, Magnolia, Saussurea, Impatiens, Narcissus etc. Some of them will fail to bloom or flower with less abundance while others will be threatened. Indigenous species in the natural habitat will be under threat for not getting favourable agro-climatic conditions for their proliferation. Western Ghats and surrounding regions may be deprived of normal precipitation due to abnormal monsoon. Plant species requiring high humidity and water may find them under difficult conditions for survival. Plains of India will also have similar kind of problems and will be affected either by drought or excessive rains, floods and seasonal variations.Commercial production of flowers particularly grown under open field conditions will be severely affected leading to poor flowering, improper floral development and colour besides reduction in flower size and short blooming period.
Future Strategies
In view of these problems, horticulturists will have to play a significant role in the climate change scenario and proper strategies have to be envisaged for saving horticulture/floriculture from future turmoil. The most effective way to address climate change is to adopt a sustainable development pathway, besides using renewable energy, forest and water conservation, reforestation etc. Awareness and educational programmes for the growers, modification of present horticultural practices and greater use of green house technology are some of the solutions to minimize the effect of climate change. Hi-tech horticulture is to be adopted in an intensive way. It is necessary that selection of plant species/cultivars is to be considered keeping in view the effects of climate change. The performance of different seasonals may not be satisfactory due to shorter and warmer winter. Judicious water utilization in the form of drip, mist and sprinkler will be a key factor to deal with the drought conditions. Development of new cultivars of floricultural crops tolerant to high temperature, resistant to pests and diseases, short duration and producing good yield under stress conditions, will be the main strategies to meet this challenge.
Source:International society of environmental botanist.
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