Effect of ozone stress on crop productivity: A threat to food security

Tropospheric ozone (O₃), the most important phytotoxic air pollutant, can deteriorate crop quality and productivity. Notably, satellite and ground-level observations-based multimodel simulations demonstrate that the present and future predicted O₃ exposures could threaten food security. Hence, the present study aims at reviewing the phytotoxicity caused by O₃ pollution, which threatens the food security. The present review encompasses three major aspects; wherein the past and prevailing O₃ concentrations in various regions were compiled at first, followed by discussing the physiological, biochemical and yield responses of economically important crop species, and considering the potential of O₃ protectants to alleviate O₃-induced phytotoxicity. Finally, the empirical data reported in the literature were quantitatively analysed to show that O₃ causes detrimental effect on physiological traits, photosynthetic pigments, growth and yield attributes. The review on prevailing O₃ concentrations over various regions, where economically important crop are grown, and their negative impact would support policy makers to implement air pollution regulations and the scientific community to develop countermeasures against O₃ phytotoxicity for maintaining food security.