Effects of Climate Change on Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility

Abstract

Climate change exerts profound and multifaceted impacts on the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum through rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, and the increasing frequency of droughts and extreme weather events. These alterations accelerate soil degradation, erosion, nutrient imbalances, and salinity problems, thereby diminishing soil fertility and threatening long-term agricultural sustainability. Beyond soils, plant physiology is also adversely affected, with disturbances in photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, water relations, and overall growth, which consequently reduce crop productivity. Recent studies further highlight the sensitivity of staple crops such as wheat, maize, and rice to climate-induced stresses, while legumes and horticultural crops display varying levels of tolerance and vulnerability. Moreover, shifts in microbial communities under changing climatic conditions influence nutrient cycling and carbon fluxes, amplifying negative feedback loops within ecosystems. Soil salinity, in particular, emerges as a critical challenge, limiting root nutrient uptake and exacerbating land degradation in arid and semi-arid regions. Given the cascading effects of climate change on food systems and ecological balance, urgent actions are required, including the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, enhancement of soil resilience through biochar and organic amendments, and protection of natural carbon sinks. Strengthening adaptive strategies and policy frameworks will be essential for sustaining food security and environmental health in the face of ongoing global change.