Buckwheat: A Sustainable Alternative Crop Under Changing Climate

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Biology
• Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

• Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) is a pseudocereal with significant nutritional and ecological value.
• It is recognized as a climate-smart crop due to its adaptability and resilience.
• Its short life cycle and tolerance to marginal environments make it suitable for sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate scientific findings on buckwheat's stress tolerance.
• To elucidate the physiological, molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying its resilience.
• To identify research gaps and future strategies for enhancing buckwheat productivity under climate change.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of physiological, molecular, and genetic studies on buckwheat stress tolerance.
• Analysis of buckwheat's role in crop rotation, intercropping, and soil health improvement.
• Identification of breeding and biotechnological approaches for stress resilience.

Main Results:

• Buckwheat exhibits remarkable resilience to a wide spectrum of abiotic and biotic stresses.
• Its adaptability to marginal lands and short life cycle facilitate integration into diverse cropping systems.
• Evidence suggests buckwheat improves soil health and supports biodiversity.

Conclusions:

• Buckwheat's inherent stress tolerance and beneficial agronomic traits position it as a key crop for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Further research into its physiological and genetic underpinnings is crucial for optimizing its potential.
• Breeding and biotechnological interventions can further enhance buckwheat's productivity in changing climatic conditions.