Climate Change: Seed Production and Options for Adaptation

TLDR

Food security relies on seed security, but climate‑driven abiotic stress threatens seed yield and quality, and the capacity of growers to adapt depends on the seed system, with formal systems better positioned than informal ones. Adaptation options for the seed industry include relocating production sites, adjusting sowing dates, and breeding cultivars with climate‑resilient traits.

Abstract

Food security depends on seed security and the international seed industry must be able to continue to deliver the quantities of quality seed required for this purpose. Abiotic stress resulting from climate change, particularly elevated temperature and water stress, will reduce seed yield and quality. Options for the seed industry to adapt to climate change include moving sites for seed production, changing sowing date, and the development of cultivars with traits which allow them to adapt to climate change conditions. However, the ability of seed growers to make these changes is directly linked to the seed system. In the formal seed system operating in developed countries, implementation will be reasonably straight forward. In the informal system operating in developing countries, the current seed production challenges including supply failing to meet demand and poor seed quality will increase with changing climates.