Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] reproduction is sensitive to temperatures > 35°C. Two studies were conducted to determine temperature effects on soybean pollen germination (PG) and to detect genotypic differences. Pollen collected from 44 genotypes (Maturity Groups III to VI) grown outdoors was subjected to in vitro temperatures from 15 to 50°C at 5°C intervals. Genotypes differed significantly for in vitro PG percentage (mean of 81%) and tube length (mean of 437 μm). Mean cardinal temperatures (Tmin, Topt, and Tmax) were 13.2, 30.2, and 47.2°C for PG and 12.1, 36.1, and 47.0°C for pollen tube growth. Genotypes differed for leaf cell membrane thermostability (CMTS), but CMTS did not correlate with pollen parameters. Cumulative temperature response index, CTRI (unitless), of each genotype calculated as the sum of eight individual stress responses (ISRs) derived from maximum PG, maximum pollen tube length (PTL), and the maximum (Tmax), minimum (Tmin), and optimum (Topt) temperatures for PG and for PTLs was used to group genotypes for temperature tolerance. Heat‐tolerant genotype (DG 5630RR) was less sensitive to high temperature (38/30°C) compared with heat‐intermediate (PI 471938) and heat‐sensitive (Stalwart III) genotypes that had deformed pollen, with reduced apertures and collumellae heads. Hence, pollen can be used as a screening tool for heat tolerance. Most sensitive to temperature was D88‐5320 with a CTRI of 6.8, while AG 4403RR was most tolerant with a CTRI of 7.5. Elevated [CO2] did not modify reproductive parameters or CTRI. The study also revealed that heat tolerance of vegetative tissue had little or no relationship with the heat tolerance of reproductive tissue. Maturity groups lacked a specific trend for tolerance to high temperature. The identified high temperature‐tolerant genotypes and temperature‐dependent pollen response functions might be useful in soybean breeding and modeling programs, respectively.

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This paper will provide an inside of the situation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a country that has limited fresh water resources. This fact in conjunction with the sever depletion of groundwater aquifers (which contribute to 70% of total water resources in the UAE). The sharp population growth could create critical challenges in providing the irrigation requirements for the agricultural sector, required to reach food security in this country. The main purpose of this work is to investigate whether the future watering requirements for crop production purposes could be met and sustained in 2030. This would be done through, reviewing the available irrigation resources and predicting the projected demand, required to cover the agricultural sector. The conclusion indicates that, the total predicted watering requirement depending on the groundwater resources for crops production would be approximately 2198 million m 3 /year. On the other hand, the year 2030 could be the first year with no more supply from groundwater resources. Leaving the future of the agricultural sector in a real critical situation, that can best be mitigated by adopting the best sustainable agricultural practices.

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Climate change and global warming became a real concern for global food security. The world population explosion is a critical factor that results in enormous emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs), required to cover the growing demands of fresh water, food, and shelter. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a significant oil-producing country, which is included in the list of 55 countries that produce at least 55% of the world’s GHGs and thus involved in the top 30 countries over the world with emission deficits. At the same time, the UAE is located in an arid region of the world, with harsh environmental conditions. The sharp population increases and the massive growth in the urbanization are primary sources, lead to further stresses on the agricultural sector. Thus, the future of the food production industry in the country is a challenging situation. Consequently, the primary objective of this work is to shed light on the current concerns related to climate change and food security, through describing the implications of climate change on the food production sector of the UAE. Tailored solutions that can rescue the future of food security in the country are also highlighted.