[O31] Temperature Stress

[O31-03] Development of Technologies and Crops for Stable Food Production under Adverse Environments and Changing Climate Conditions

(Invited Speaker)

^○Kazuo Nakashima (Food Program, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Japan)

The global strains on food and nutrient supply due to increasing world population, chronic malnutrition in developing countries, projected economic growth in emerging countries, and the growing frequency of extreme weather events have become a major concern for mankind. The Goal 2 of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. It is well known that agricultural potential in developing regions, including Africa, has not been fully realized because their adverse environments and changing climate conditions impose abiotic stresses (e.g., temperature stresses, droughts) and biotic stresses (e.g., pests, diseases) on plant growth and development. In order to establish stable and sustainable production of agricultural crops in developing countries that are vulnerable to the impact of climate change such as high and low temperature and droughts, we develop breeding materials and technologies to produce crops that are highly productive yet adaptable to such environments. In addition, we use breeding technologies including genetic modification and develop new technologies for breeding novel crop cultivars. Furthermore, we embark on a challenge to develop cultivars of orphan crops such as quinoa and amaranth with high nutritional value and resistance to adverse environments. We hope these new breeding materials and technologies could contribute in achieving food and nutrition security in developing regions.