Theoretical justification for adapting crop cultivation to climate aridization

Introduction. The article presents a comprehensive review of modern approaches and technologies for adapting crop production to the evolving process of climate aridization. A detailed analysis of key factors has been provided: water shortages, rising air temperatures, increased occurrence of extreme weather events, and soil degradation. Based on the analysis of scientific research by Russian scientists, agrotechnological, selection-genetic, melioration, and agroecological methods for increasing the resilience and productivity of agrocenoses in arid conditions are described. The goal of the research was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of current research and developments by Russian scientists in the field of crop production adaptation technologies to increasingly arid climate conditions and to assess the prospects for scaling them up. The objects and methods of the research. The object of the research was systems for adapting agricultural production to climate aridization. The methods used are systematic literature search, analysis, and synthesis. The results and discussion. A study of technologies used in various regions of our country has shown that successful adaptation of agriculture is possible with a comprehensive transition to adaptive-landscape, resource-saving agriculture, integrating soil-conserving technologies as the basis for moisture accumulation, erosion control, and soil fertility preservation, the use of modern regionalized drought- and heat-resistant varieties and hybrids created using modern breeding methods, modernization of soil reclamation, the transition to drip irrigation technologies, as well as digital irrigation management systems, the modernization of protective afforestation systems, and the introduction of precision farming technologies to manage field heterogeneity and conserve resources. Conclusion. Only the application of a comprehensive, scientifically based, and adaptive approach, based on the strong foundation of domestic agricultural science, will not only mitigate the effects of climate aridization but also transform this challenge into an opportunity for the development of sustainable and competitive agriculture in Russia, guaranteeing its food security in the 21 st century.