Articles
The opportunity for cultivating exotic species in temperate regions under the conditions of climate change
Article number
1457_17
Pages
129 – 136
Language
English
Abstract
The search for new crops is not a new area of research.
However, the increased interest is closely linked to human development, with the main problems it involves being food security and malnutrition.
Recent global research results conclude that changes in the structure of climatic and vegetation areas at higher latitudes and altitudes will require considerable regional adaptation, especially in transition areas, due to climate change.
The potential of underutilised crops is seen as a solution to increasing the regional cultivated assortment, as some of these species exhibit high ecological plasticity and the potential to adapt to new environments.
In this context, fruit growing in temperate regions is undergoing significant changes in species zoning and the introduction of new cultivars that can adapt to the new vegetation conditions.
Thus, exotic or underutilized fruit-growing species have high potential for developing sustainable production systems in temperate regions.
The species we take into consideration are: paw paw (Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal), kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), kaki (Diospyros kaki Thunb.), jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), fig (Ficus carica L.), and medlar (Mespilus germanica L.). The considerable potential for introducing these species into the culture will be assessed.
However, one of the reasons for the introduction of these underutilized fruit species is Romanian consumers’ increasing interest in food with high nutritional value and taste appeal, especially since new species such as goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) and saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) are already adopted by the Romanian market and growers.
Even so, the main challenge these species will face in temperate regions is winter low temperatures.
The species mentioned above could also be considered a useful tool for the ‘green revolution’ movement, which has already been spreading over the last few decades.
However, the increased interest is closely linked to human development, with the main problems it involves being food security and malnutrition.
Recent global research results conclude that changes in the structure of climatic and vegetation areas at higher latitudes and altitudes will require considerable regional adaptation, especially in transition areas, due to climate change.
The potential of underutilised crops is seen as a solution to increasing the regional cultivated assortment, as some of these species exhibit high ecological plasticity and the potential to adapt to new environments.
In this context, fruit growing in temperate regions is undergoing significant changes in species zoning and the introduction of new cultivars that can adapt to the new vegetation conditions.
Thus, exotic or underutilized fruit-growing species have high potential for developing sustainable production systems in temperate regions.
The species we take into consideration are: paw paw (Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal), kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), kaki (Diospyros kaki Thunb.), jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), fig (Ficus carica L.), and medlar (Mespilus germanica L.). The considerable potential for introducing these species into the culture will be assessed.
However, one of the reasons for the introduction of these underutilized fruit species is Romanian consumers’ increasing interest in food with high nutritional value and taste appeal, especially since new species such as goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) and saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) are already adopted by the Romanian market and growers.
Even so, the main challenge these species will face in temperate regions is winter low temperatures.
The species mentioned above could also be considered a useful tool for the ‘green revolution’ movement, which has already been spreading over the last few decades.
Publication
Authors
C. Zlati, M. Istrate, R. Pașcu
Keywords
fruits, exotic species, climate change, biodiversity
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