**7. Conclusion and future prospects**

The concept of abiotic stresses is not new. Over the years, abiotic stresses are affecting the crop with more prominent effect found in recent times as a consequence of climate change arising due anthropogenic activities. The extent of impacts from these stresses on crop varies from mild to severe, resulting in changes in seed production and quality of the produce accordingly. Under abiotic stresses, crop also shows internal defense against them by undergoing various morphological, cellular, physiological, biochemical and molecular changes, which altogether exert antagonistic impact on crop growth and yield. As food demand is increasing from enormous population growth, crop yield loss due to abiotic stresses should be addressed through incorporation of suitable modern agronomic management as well as breeding approaches. Development of resistant varieties to cope up with abiotic stresses needs special emphasis. Further, molecular research should be carried out at genetic level to study and develop suitable defensive mechanisms against such stresses. For instance, genetic engineering and genome editing are showing the prospects for resistance/ tolerance of plants against these stresses in future through transferring specific gene carrying targeted traits in crop. In achieving success in genetic engineering, identification and isolation of the key genes play fundamental role which urges for effective works of breeders. Further, it has been seen that although there are available mitigation and adaptation strategies against such stresses, they are currently insufficient. Therefore, there is an urgent need for multi-locational research trials, transfusion of modern practices, policy interventions and advances in genomics approaches to address negative impacts of stress as well as to achieve successful crop production and it can be achieved by integrating multiple approaches together rather than relying on single strategy. Participation of public and/or private organizations is highly needed in curtailing the adverse impact of abiotic stresses on crop through financial and infrastructural support, generation of modern agronomic, breeding and other relevant technologies as well as strengthening of extension service.

*Influence of Abiotic Stresses on Seed Production and Quality DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106045*
