Yield and yield cmponents of alternative crops in a climate changing Mediterranean environment

Climate change is expected to have increasing significant effects on Mediterranean agriculture, impacting crop production, water availability, and overall agricultural sustainability. Precipitation patterns and air temperatures are being affected, leading to increased frequency and intensity of droughts and extreme rainfall events. These changes can negatively impact crop yields and increase the risk of soil erosion and desertification (1). Heat stress can reduce crop yields, affect fruit quality, and disrupt pollination processes. Moreover, increased temperatures can contribute to the spread of pests and diseases, further impacting agricultural productivity (2). In general climate change is expected to exacerbate water scarcity issues in the Mediterranean region and it may result in shifts in the suitability of certain crops and agricultural practices. Areas that were traditionally suitable for certain crops may become less favorable, while new regions may become suitable for cultivation. This necessitates adaptive measures, such as crop diversification and changes in farming systems, to maintain agricultural productivity (4). Resilient crops possess traits that enable them to thrive in challenging environments, such as drought tolerance, heat resistance, and disease resilience. These traits can help Mediterranean farmers adapt to the changing climate conditions and maintain agricultural productivity. Some species, such as Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), have characteristics of resilience to climate change. Their ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions, including drought, heat, and poor soil quality, contributes to their resilience and makes them valuable for agricultural systems striving for climate change adaptation. In 2022 a field was carried in Policoro (MT) in order to evaluate the yield performance of some varieties of quinoa and sorghum, under rainfed conditions.