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Drought stress is among the significant forms of abiotic stresses that unfavourably affects maize survival as well as the development from germination to maturity. This paper, therefore, reviewed drought stress effects in maize plants and expatiated on the plausible adoptable mitigation measures to employ in curbing these effects as well. Water shortage prompts drought stress that alters the morphological, physiological and biochemical activities in maize plants. The major drought stress implications on the plant's survival are mostly in the area of altered metabolic functions, including nutrient metabolism, cell membrane integrity, water relationships, plant yield, photosynthetic processes, osmotic adjustment, and the pigment content. Mitigating strategies, such as the breeding of drought-tolerant varieties, genomic applications for drought tolerance enhancement in maize plants, as well as the use of rhizobacteria and endophytic bacteria, can be employed in alleviating drought stress and ensuring optimal maize productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous moth species that mainly damages various crops and ornamental plants. This widely distributed pest is particularly a nuisance in Pakistan where it damages many crops, e.g., wheat and vegetables. To assess the risk of damage by this moth, we used the CLIMEX model to predict the distribution of A. ipsilon under current and future climatic conditions. Using the literature data, we collected information on the biology and ecology of A. ipsilon relevant for modelling the distribution of this species in Pakistan and worldwide under current and future climatic conditions. Our results revealed that under future climatic scenarios, the highly favourable habitat area of A. ipsilon (ecoclimatic index EI > 30) would decrease globally from 19% at present to 14% in the future, and the moderately favourable habitat area (0 < EI ≤ 15) would increase from 21 to 29%. We found that the northern areas of Pakistan will become highly suitable for the establishment of A. ipsilon. Under the current climatic conditions, the optimal habitats of A. ipsilon (EI > 30) comprised 10% and moderately favourable habitats (EI < 17) accounted for 25% of the total land area in Pakistan. Under future climatic scenarios, the optimal habitat area of the moth in Pakistan could decrease to 5% and the moderately favourable habitat area could cover 63% of the entire land area. The results can be applied in the protection of various crops and ornamental plants against A. ipsilon in Pakistan as well as worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is among the significant forms of abiotic stresses that unfavourably affects maize survival as well as the development from germination to maturity. This paper, therefore, reviewed drought stress effects in maize plants and expatiated on the plausible adoptable mitigation measures to employ in curbing these effects as well. Water shortage prompts drought stress that alters the morphological, physiological and biochemical activities in maize plants. The major drought stress implications on the plant's survival are mostly in the area of altered metabolic functions, including nutrient metabolism, cell membrane integrity, water relationships, plant yield, photosynthetic processes, osmotic adjustment, and the pigment content. Mitigating strategies, such as the breeding of drought-tolerant varieties, genomic applications for drought tolerance enhancement in maize plants, as well as the use of rhizobacteria and endophytic bacteria, can be employed in alleviating drought stress and ensuring optimal maize productivity.

The potential impact of future climate change on fruit fly species distribution was assessed in Uganda using two general circulation models (HADCM and CCCMA) and two future predicted CO2 emission scenarios (A2 and B2), under both full and no species dispersal modes. Future ranges were overall projected to decline by 25.4% by year 2050. Under full-dispersal, D. ciliatus > C. cosyra > B. invadens ranges were predicted to increase, while the rest are likely to decrease. In the no-dispersal scenario, a significant average decrease in size of niches is predicted. Range losses are predicted higher under B2 than A2. Future niches will likely shift to northern Uganda. The results should assist in the development of climate change adaptive pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]