Crop Improvement Strategies for Addressing Waterlogging and Salinity in Coastal Ecosystems

Rice is the predominant crop in coastal regions and serves as a vital source of livelihood and income security for millions of people residing in these areas. However, coastal regions are highly vulnerable to climate change and face numerous abiotic stresses, including soil and water salinity, erratic rainfall, saline mangroves, heavy rainfall, prolonged dry spells, saline water intrusion, cyclonic disturbances, high temperatures, and high humidity. These challenges expose rice crops to both biotic and abiotic stresses, with the unpredictable and dynamic nature of these threats amplifying their impact. Coastal ecosystems play a crucial role in agricultural production, but they are increasingly at risk due to waterlogging and salinity caused by rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and human interventions. Currently, nearly 200 million people live in coastal areas that are less than 5 meters above mean sea level (MSL), a number that is projected to rise due to the ongoing effects of climate change, including increasing soil salinity, seawater intrusion, soil pollution, and the use of low-quality water. By the end of this century, the population in coastal regions may reach 400-500 million. Since rice is often the only crop cultivated in these areas, providing a lifeline to millions of resource-poor farmers in stress-prone environments, it is essential that crop improvement efforts for rice in coastal regions be given higher priority. This review examines the crop improvement strategies aimed at addressing these challenges, with a focus on genetic, biotechnological, and management approaches. Advances in breeding for salt-tolerant and waterlogging-tolerant rice varieties, along with the use of molecular markers and gene-editing technologies, offer promising solutions. By integrating these strategies with sustainable agronomic practices, it is possible to enhance crop resilience and ensure food security in coastal regions affected by salinity and waterlogging stress.