Could flooding undermine progress in building climate-resilient crops?

Abstract

Flooding threatens crop productivity, agricultural sustainability, and global food security. In this article I review the effects of flooding on plants and highlight three important gaps in our understanding: (i) effects of flooding on ecological interactions mediated by plants both below (changing root metabolites and exudates) and aboveground (changing plant quality and metabolites, and weakening the plant immune system), (ii) flooding impacts on soil health and microorganisms that underpin plant and ecosystems health, and (iii) the legacy impacts of flooding. Failure to address these overlooked aspects could derail and undermine the monumental progress made in building climate-resilient crops and soil-microbe-assisted plant resilience. Addressing the outlined knowledge gaps will enhance solutions developed to mitigate flooding and preserve gains made to date.