IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE-INDUCED SALINITY ON PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND PHENOLOGY: A COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL AND INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Climate change has substantially intensified soil salinization across arid, semi-arid, and coastal agroecosystems worldwide. Rising temperatures, erratic precipitation, increased evapotranspiration, sea-level rise, and unsustainable irrigation practices have collectively accelerated salt accumulation in agricultural soils. Globally, more than 800 million hectares of land are affected by salinity, representing nearly 8% of the Earth’s total land surface and over 20% of irrigated lands. In India alone, approximately 6.7 million hectares are salt-affected, with projections indicating further expansion under climate change scenarios. Salinity stress exerts profound effects on plant physiology through osmotic stress, ion toxicity, nutrient imbalance, oxidative damage, and hormonal disruption. These physiological disturbances translate into altered phenological patterns, including delayed germination, modified flowering time, premature senescence, and reduced reproductive success. This comprehensive review synthesizes global and Indian research on salinity-induced changes in plant physiological and phenological processes. Comparative analysis highlights regional vulnerabilities, crop-specific sensitivities, and adaptive mechanisms such as osmolyte accumulation, ion compartmentalization, antioxidant defense activation, and molecular regulation of salt-responsive genes. The review further discusses implications for food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience strategies. Emphasis is placed on integrated management approaches including breeding salt-tolerant cultivars, improved irrigation practices, soil reclamation techniques, and biotechnology-driven interventions. Understanding the complex interplay between salinity and plant responses is essential for developing climate-resilient agricultural systems in both global and Indian contexts.