Enhancing Climate Resilience through Crop Variety Innovation: A Key Strategy for Climate Change Mitigation

The influence of climate change is increasingly evident in the intensifying extreme weather events across all regions worldwide, such as heatwaves, heavy precipitations, droughts, and tropical cyclones. These weather conditions directly affect agriculture, potentially leading to reduced crop yields.

As of 2023, Florida's orange production has fallen to an all-time low. The decline in United States (US) orange production results from a combination of unfavorable environmental factors and the ongoing threat of citrus greening disease. Forecasts for the MY 2022/23 production anticipate a 23% year-on-year (YoY) decline to 61.9 million boxes of US oranges due to the dwindling number of Florida oranges.

Source: USDA

The destructive impact of Hurricane Ian in Sep-22, followed by Hurricane Nicole in Nov-22, has hampered the fresh orange production in Florida for MY 2022/23. The extensive damage caused by high winds and subsequent flooding has prolonged the recovery period for US orange trees. Re-establishing damaged orchards takes 18 to 24 months for citrus tree planting, with an additional three to five years before these trees return to full productivity.

Furthermore, the exacerbation of a disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening has been observed in the wake of floods and represents a severe threat to US citrus cultivation. It hinders output by a gradual decline in tree health, which reduces fruit yields and degrades fruit quality over time.

In the battle against citrus greening, adopting climate-resilient crop varieties has emerged as a promising mitigation strategy. Given that instances of the disease escalate in response to specific climatic conditions, such as those induced by flooding in the US, resilient varieties are gaining attention.

Brazil stands as a prominent example of successful crop variety innovation. The Brazilian Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas) recently introduced the first orange variety with resistance to yellowing on May 23. This innovative cultivar, called Navelina XR, is similar to the Baianinha orange fruit in the sense that it is seedless and has a mid-season maturation. The Navelina XR variant, however, has tiny, granular-like features in the fruit's flesh.

The new citrus cultivar comes from a research collaboration between Brazilian agricultural research corporation Embrapa, the Coopercitrus Credicitrus Foundation (FCC), and the Sylvio Moreira Citriculture Center (CCSM), which is linked to the Agronomic Institute (IAC). It is an excellent alternative cultivar, given the presence of HLB, as it does not require pruning or vector control, which is a must for other orange tree varieties.

Source: Abrafrutas

As showcased by Brazil's successful introduction of the Navelina XR orange variety, adopting climate-resilient crop varieties stands out as a beacon of hope. This collaborative effort reflects the transformative potential of innovation in cultivating climate-resilient crops, a key strategy to not only mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture but also ensure food security in the face of evolving environmental challenges.

For further information, refer to Climate Change Mitigation Strategies in Agriculture Report.