ABSTRACT
Predictive models forecast that future summers will increasingly see record-breaking high temperatures, with today’s highest temperatures become the future’s norm, as global warming continues to cause temperatures to rise (Battisti and Naylor, 2009). It is predicted that elevated temperatures will result in decreased food security worldwide (Lobell and Field, 2007; Battisti and Naylor, 2009), which further necessitates the need for a better understanding of mechanisms of plant adaptation to
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................. 389 20.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 389 20.2 Membrane Stability ..............................................................................................................390 20.3 Antioxidant Metabolism ....................................................................................................... 391 20.4 Carbon Metabolism .............................................................................................................. 392 20.5 Protein Metabolism .............................................................................................................. 395 20.6 Hormone Metabolism ........................................................................................................... 397 20.7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 398 References ...................................................................................................................................... 399
heat stress to improve plant growth and productivity in increasing temperature environments. Even relatively short periods of high temperatures during key developmental phases of a plant’s life cycle can have signicant negative impacts on plant growth and production, as reported in various crop species. The adverse impact of elevated temperatures on annual crop yields in certain regions in the past few decades has already been observed, including rice (Oryza sativa) in China (Peng et al., 2004), maize (Zea mays) in Africa (Lobell et al., 2011), as well as other major grain crops (Lobell and Field, 2007). High temperatures also can be detrimental to the growth of perennial grasses, particularly for C3 cool-season species (DiPola and Beard, 1992; Fry and Huang, 2004).
