Agricultural and Biological Research

Effect of heat stress on wheat production in semi-arid region of Rajasthan

Ravi Kumar*, Sunita Bhandari, Sarita and Gayathri PM

Producing sufficient food to meet the demands of India's growing population, projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, presents significant challenges due to declining arable land, water scarcity and unpredictable weather patterns magnified by climate change. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a staple crop providing 20% of global caloric and protein intake, faces severe threats from heat stress, which has already reduced global productivity by approximately 5% since the 1980s. This review examines the impact of heat stress on wheat production, focusing on physiological, biochemical and yield-related aspects, with a particular emphasis on the semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. High temperatures during significant growth stages disrupt photosynthesis, reduce enzymatic activities and alter starch accumulation in grains, ultimately decreasing yield and grain quality. Additionally, heat stress induces oxidative damage through the accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), impacting membrane stability and protein expression. The synthesis of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) plays a vital role in mitigating heat-induced damage, although their efficacy is often overwhelmed under extreme stress. This review underscores the necessity of developing heat-tolerant wheat cultivars to sustain productivity in the face of rising temperatures and highlights the complex exchange between temperature stress and wheat physiology.