About this Research Topic

Background

Climate change-induced land desertification and salinization are progressing at a concerning speed, increasing the demand for novel crop cultivation concepts to ensure food security. Climate change increases both the intensity and frequency of environmental stresses such as temperature extremes, drought, and salinity. However, the majority of crops are sensitive to these stresses and are subjected to significant yield loss when they are exposed to these sub-optimal conditions. Unlike conventional crops, extremophile plants, including halophytes, which grow in soils with high salinity, have the potential to survive and be productive in such marginal environments by developing various mechanisms to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses at anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. It is therefore important to understand these mechanisms to maximize their cultivation in marginal environments.

In the past century, human activities have profoundly affected Earth’s ecosystems, leading to significant biodiversity loss, pollution, overexploitation, and the introduction of invasive species. Climate change and eroded biodiversity are major concerns, with each stressor potentially harming plant species. Many stressors also interact, complicating plant responses. However, little is known about plants' responses to combined environmental stresses.

Unlike conventional crops, extremophile plants, including halophytes, can survive and reproduce in saline habitats by developing adaptive mechanisms. Extremophile pseudocereal species such as quinoa, amaranth, and millets are particularly promising. These nutrient-rich crops are resilient to harsh environments (drought, salinity, and extreme temperature) and yield well with limited resources. Pseudocereals are edible seeds that resemble true cereals and have high starch content. Their genetic variability allows them to adapt to diverse climates, making them ideal for future agriculture. These “sub-exploited superfoods” are gaining interest due to their high nutritional value and health benefits, including high protein, amino acid, vitamin, and mineral content, and lack of gluten.

We aim to highlight the potential of extremophile pseudocereals for sustainable food production under combined stresses. Their cultivation in marginalized areas impacted by climate change can contribute to global food security and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finally, what strategies can effectively communicate the potential uses of locally adapted pseudocereals, and what methods can introduce non-conventional crops to farmers and the food industry?

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: pseudocereals, crops, climate change

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