Effect of Rising Temperatures on Pollination and Crop Productivity

Indianraj. N^*, M. Ramya and K. Lavanya

Abstract:

Rising global temperatures associated with climate change pose a significant threat to crop productivity by disrupting pollination processes. Heat stress affects pollination through two major pathways: direct impairment of crop reproductive biology and indirect impacts on pollinator behaviour, health, and abundance. Elevated temperatures during flowering reduce pollen viability, germination, and pollen tube growth in many crops, leading to poor fertilization, reduced seed and fruit set, and yield losses. Heat stress also alters floral traits such as nectar volume and sugar concentration, decreasing floral attractiveness to pollinators. Simultaneously, pollinators particularly bees experience physiological stress, reduced foraging activity, impaired reproduction, and increased mortality during heatwaves, resulting in diminished pollination services. The combined effects of pollen sterility and pollinator decline substantially lower productivity in pollination-dependent crops including cereals, legumes, fruits, and oilseeds. Evidence from experimental and modelling studies suggests that continued warming could cause significant global yield reductions in major crops if adaptive measures are not implemented. Integrating heat-tolerant crop breeding, climate-smart agronomic practices, and pollinator conservation strategies is therefore essential to sustain pollination services and ensure agricultural productivity under a warming climate.