Plant Genetic Resources and Climate Change: Drought

Drought is a complex problem that affects the livelihoods of millions of poor every year and most likely will become more frequent as the climate changes. Current knowledge on the molecular basis of drought resistance is not yet sufficient to develop more drought-resistant crops or varieties. Therefore, for the time being, conventional breeding based on specific adaptation and evolutionary strategies, and with the collaboration of farmers seems to be the only realistic avenue to develop in the short-term drought-resistant varieties quickly available on the ground.