How do chickpeas combat the impact of climate change?
How do chickpeas combat the impact of climate change?
Before talking about chickpeas, we must realize thatClimate changehas become one of the most prominent challenges threatening food systems around the world. Because long drought times have become a reality in areas that were previously considered far from this phenomenon.
This dangerous transformation casts a bleak shadow over the production of agricultural crops, and threatens the food security of millions of people. That is whyEarth Guards will address in this article - Article: How does chickpeas combat the impact of climate change? - The role of chickpeas in confronting the phenomena of climate change, and its contribution to achieving food security and all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially achieving the two goals (1) (2) eradicating poverty, and completely eliminating hunger... so continue reading.
Drought-resistant agriculture
At the University of Vienna, a recent study showed that chickpeas - a plant belonging to the legume family - have a natural genetic diversity, which makes them able to deal with what is called soil stress resulting from drought. Not only that, but the study published in the journal"The Plant Biotechnology" showed that chickpeas are rich in protein, like beans; Which makes it an ideal choice to support agricultural systems in areas affected by climate change.
What is the importance of genetic diversity?
There is no doubt that the world today suffers from a lack of use of the genetic diversity of agricultural plants, and at the same time there are approximately 7,000 species of edible crops, and despite this, global food production depends on only nine species!
This excessive reliance on a limited number of crops causes widespread damage, the most serious of which is the increased fragility of the global food system, as crops become less resistant to diseases and pests, and more vulnerable to climate change.
Here the chickpea comes to announce - due to its genetic diversity - the extent of its readiness to enhance the flexibility of agriculture. Therefore, the study focused on growing different types of chickpeas, in harsh drought conditions within an urban area in the Austrian capital, Vienna. The results were promising after they showed that types of chickpea were able to adapt to harsh conditions in an amazing way, which reflects the great potential of this plant in supporting food security.
Not only is it resistant to drought or containing protein, the genetic diversity that chickpeas enjoy helps improve soil quality and makes a clear contribution to activating the concept of sustainable agriculture. Because it can fix nitrogen in the soil; Which reduces the need to use chemical fertilizers.
The relationship between artificial intelligence and chickpeas
These findings, from a University of Vienna study led by Wolfram Weckwirth, used artificial intelligence (AI) - as well as multivariate statistics - to analyze the performance of chickpeas in drought conditions. There, the researchers used an index called the Stress Susceptibility Index. To evaluate the impact of drought on the productivity of chickpea plants, the index showed that there are types of chickpeas that possess natural mechanisms that make them more resistant to drought, such as their ability to reduce water loss through their leaves, or improve the absorption of nutrients from the soil.
These results are a major step towards choosing the appropriate type of chickpea that is most capable of combating the impact of climate change. They are also an opportunity to improve its productivity and make it more capable of meeting the needs of global food security. The use of artificial intelligence - in addition to the above - has contributed to identifying genetic indicators that can be used in crop improvement programs in general.
Hummus Challenges
Despite the great potential of chickpeas, there are challenges facing this sustainable plant. Among these challenges is the lack of awareness of the benefits of chickpeas and its role in promoting sustainable agriculture, in addition to the lack of investment in crop improvement research in general.
However, these difficulties can be overcome by being aware that there are promising and great opportunities to expand chickpea cultivation, and all it takes is strengthening cooperation between researchers, farmers and policy makers, and then we can overcome these challenges.
In conclusion, spreading awareness of such sustainable ideas is whatEarth Guards does; To protect Biodiversity and promote sustainable agriculture, so that all people become healthier and more sustainable, without threatening the Earth’s environment and resources.
