With our present knowledge, the climate trends outlined may result in less predictable crop protection requirements, more drought-stressed crops and greater unpredictability of yield. In particular, changes to harvest, sowing and spraying conditions may lead to greater uncertainty for winter crops.

Conversely, an earlier spring and higher CO₂ concentrations could benefit some crops if water is not subsequently limiting. The disease spectrum is likely to change, as existing pathogen populations shift and new pathogens appear, as will consequent epidemiological factors such as variability, over-wintering, and general aetiology.

Relatively little is known about the potential impact of climate change on crop quality although it is known that the protein content of grain is highly susceptible to current variations in climate, affecting the type of foods that can be produced downstream.

In order to develop appropriate adaptation strategies, predictions about changes in the quality, nutritional value and safety of food crops need to be considered in the context of the entire food chain from primary production to storage through distribution, processing and utilisation. SCRI is in a key position to contribute to this aspect of climate change through its expertise in molecular physiology, biochemistry and analytical chemistry as complementary skills to genetics and breeding.

Warmer mean temperature means that there is a potential for longer growing seasons for both winter- and spring-sown crops. Whether this potential is realised in practice will depend on whether more rainfall in winter prevents management operations in spring and whether drought prevents growth in the summer.