PLANT ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN MALAYSIA

Climate change is increasingly affecting Malaysia’s agriculture sector, bringing more frequent heatwaves, droughts, floods, and salinity intrusion that directly threaten crop productivity and national food security. This presentation highlights current scientific insights on how climate stresses impact major crops such as rice, oil palm, rubber, cocoa and selected crops. Using findings from controlled-environment studies and field observations, the talk illustrates how heat, water stress and extreme weather disrupt plant physiology, reproductive success, and overall yield performance. In response to these challenges, a range of plant adaptation strategies has been developed and implemented. The presentation will showcase ongoing research efforts, including the development of climate-resilient rice varieties with improved tolerance to drought, submergence and salinity through QTL introgression and trait-based breeding. Advances in smart water management, such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and MARDI’s modified AWD, demonstrate how optimised irrigation can save water, maintain yields and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Beyond rice, the presentation briefly outlines adaptation initiatives for oil palm, rubber, cocoa and other crops, including climate-resilient varieties and enhanced water-use efficiency. Together, these strategies represent Malaysia’s integrated approach to strengthening agricultural resilience through research, innovation and climate-smart practices. As climate change intensifies, plant adaptation will remain a critical pillar for safeguarding Malaysia’s food systems. This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive view of current challenges, scientific developments and forward-looking strategies that can support a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector.

The study of flora aims to provide a uniform description of floral species, and there is no shortage of subjects to be studied and researched in Malaysia. New floral species found in Malaysia were discovered and described every year, many of which are endemic, highly localised to a specific geographical location or habitat, and critically vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures and threats.

The thematic cluster of Flora within the 2025 State of Nature Conservation in Malaysia aims to elevate the status of floral species in Malaysia during this critical juncture, where floral species in its diversity is needed to sustain our carbon sinks, the first line of defence against the planetary crises that humanity faces.

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