April 10, 2012

Less rainfall cuts China's crop yield

According to a study done by Tianyi Zhang Institute of Atmospheric Physics and Yao Huang Institute of Botany at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, lesser rainfall in China is seen as the cause for reduced cereal crop yield and not higher temperature.

According to the study the results showed that warming had no significant harmful effect on cereal yields especially for rice and wheat at a national scale from 1980 to 2008 During the 951 to 2001 period China has experienced significant climate change like annual mean air temperature increased by 1.1 degree Celsius over the time rainfall towards Western china increased by up to 15% a decade. While it declined in the Northern part.

The crops yield in the northern part reduced with rising temperature as well as with lower rainfall. But it was noted that with rising temperature the yield of crops went up and down. The factor influenced was the amount of rainfall received.

With lower rainfall the yield declined else vice versa. However, the scientists are not neglecting the effects of warming over the yield of the crops. According to them the rising temperature may have indirect on the crops. China accounts for 7% of the global arable land.