Diagnosis and Mitigation of Wheat Physiological Disorders
摘要
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most widely cultivated cereal crop worldwide and plays a vital role in ensuring global food security. However, its productivity is increasingly threatened by physiological disorders caused by non-pathogenic factors such as salinity, heat stress, drought, frost, waterlogging, and nutrient imbalances. Unlike biotic diseases, these disorders arise from environmental extremes and metabolic imbalances, often resulting in persistent damage that is difficult to manage. Such stresses frequently impair photosynthesis, grain filling, spike development, and nutrient translocation, thereby reducing both yield and quality. Precise and early diagnosis is therefore essential to distinguish physiological disorders from biotic diseases and to implement appropriate remedial measures. In the present scenario, diagnostic approaches have progressed from traditional field observations to advanced molecular, imaging, and sensor-based techniques. Mitigation strategies now focus on integrated approaches, including precision nutrient management, development of climate-resilient varieties, application of stress-protective chemicals, improved water management, foliar nutrient supplementation, and the use of precision farming tools such as drones, remote sensing, and IoT-based devices. This chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of wheat physiological disorders, traces the transition from traditional practices to modern technological innovations, and emphasizes the importance of integrated strategies to safeguard wheat production under changing climatic conditions.