Developing Climate-Resilient Crops: Genetic Innovations and Physiological Adaptations to Mitigate the Impact of Extreme Weather and Elevated CO₂ Levels

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations pose significant challenges to global food security. These changes result in reduced crop yields, nutrient quality, and ecosystem stability. This thesis explores two interconnected strategies to address this issue: (1) employing advanced genetic engineering techniques to develop climate-resilient crop varieties that tolerate drought, heat, flooding, and cold; and (2) studying the physiological and biochemical responses of plants to elevated CO₂ and temperature extremes. By integrating genetic tools such as CRISPR-Cas9, breeding programs, and physiological assessments, this research aims to provide actionable insights for improving agricultural productivity under climate stress.