It seems that one of the most difficult topics to reach a consensus on off late is ‘Global Warming’ and while there are many who believe that we are responsible for the heating of the planet, there are others who strongly refute the claim and call it a publicity gimmick. Well, gimmick or not, there are several changes that are happening to the planet and its flora and fauna in the last couple of decades and while you can debate the cause, there is no running away from the effect that have started to show.
When someone like Prof. Eviatar Nevo, founder of the University of Haifa’s Institute of Evolution says something about how wheat and barley are changing with each passing generation and how their flowering patterns are being altered by an increase in global temperatures, it would be a wise thing to stop and listen. Scientists at the university led by Prof. Eviatar have studied data since 1980 and observed data on 98 wheat and wild barley seeds that were harvested back then.
They then compared the data to the seeds of 2008 and found that the plants from the 2008 seeds were 10 days earlier in both flowering and ripening. The experts believe that this is a direct result of stress on the plants and the reason for this genetic change lies in global warming as they were no other major variables that could have played a part.
The problem stems from the fact that genetic diversity seems to be on the decline and this is not good news for increase in crop output down the line. In a world where more and more pressure is being placed on food crops to increase output, the study is definitely not welcome news.
Via: Israel21c
