Global Wheat Production Threatened by Rising Heat Stress
Global Wheat Production Threatened by Rising Heat Stress
US · Published Feb 23, 2026
Research shows heat stress is becoming a greater threat to global wheat production than drought due to climate change.
Heat-related wheat yield losses could increase by 32% by 2050 and 77% by 2090, impacting major wheat-producing regions.
Developing heat-resistant wheat varieties and implementing climate-smart agricultural techniques are crucial to mitigate these effects.
Heat overtakes drought as primary wheat threat
Recent research indicates a concerning shift in the primary threats to global wheat production. Historically, drought has been the main concern for wheat yields. However, with climate change, extreme heat during the flowering period is becoming an increasingly significant threat, according to a study led by Dr. Nimai Senapati at Rothamsted Research in the UK.
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