Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
India

Temperature rise affecting India's wheat production: Study

Darpan News Desk IANS, 23 Jul, 2014 07:46 AM
    The recent rise in temperatures is taking a toll on India's wheat production, an alarming study by geographers at the University of Southampton in Britain said.
     
    A rise in night time temperatures is negatively affecting crop yield the most, the findings showed.
     
    "Our findings highlight the vulnerability of India's wheat production system to temperature rise, which is predicted to continue in the coming decades as a consequence of climate change," said Jadu Dash, a lecturer in geography at the University of Southampton.
     
    "We are sounding an early warning to the problem, which could have serious implications in the future and so needs further investigation," Dash added.
     
    The researchers used satellite images taken at weekly intervals from 2002 to 2007 of the wheat growing seasons to measure "vegetation greenness" of the crop -- acting as an indicator of crop yield.
     
    The satellite imagery, of the northwest Indo-Gangetic plains, was taken at a resolution of 500m sq -- high enough to capture variations in local agricultural practices.
     
    The data was then compared with climate and temperature information for the area to examine the affect on growth and development of the crop.
     
    Warmer temperatures during the reproductive and grain-filling (ripening) periods had a significant negative impact on productivity and warmer minimum daily temperatures (night time temperatures) had the most significant impact on yield, the study said.
     
    In some areas of the Indian wheat belt, growers have been bringing forward their growing season in order to align the most sensitive point of the crop growth cycle with a cooler period.
     
    However, the researchers showed that in the long-term, this would not be an effective way of combating the problem, because of the high level of average temperature rise predicted for the future.
     
    The study was published in the journal Global Change Biology.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Our Mars mission cost less than Hollywood film 'Gravity': Modi

    Our Mars mission cost less than Hollywood film 'Gravity': Modi
    The Indian space programmes are most cost effective and the cost incurred for the Mars mission was less than the money invested to make the Hollywood movie "Gravity", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here Monday.

    Our Mars mission cost less than Hollywood film 'Gravity': Modi

    India to help 600 nationals return from Iraq this week

    India to help 600 nationals return from Iraq this week
    The government Monday said it will facilitate the return of over 600 Indians from non-conflict areas of Iraq this week, as efforts continued to secure the safe release of Indians in captivity in war-torn areas of the Gulf nation.

    India to help 600 nationals return from Iraq this week

    Harsh Vardhan clarifies on sex education, slams UPA's 'crudity'

    Harsh Vardhan clarifies on sex education, slams UPA's 'crudity'
    Seeking to end an "unseemly controversy" kicked up by his views on sex education, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Friday denied that he proposes a ban on sex education in schools, saying he supports "pedagogy that is scientific and culturally acceptable".

    Harsh Vardhan clarifies on sex education, slams UPA's 'crudity'

    Five killed in Bihar train derailment, sabotage ruled out

    Five killed in Bihar train derailment, sabotage ruled out
    At least five people were killed when the Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derailed in Bihar early Wednesday, police said. Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi ruled out sabotage while his Assam counterpart Tarun Gogoi asked a top police officer to visit the spot and oversee relief work.

    Five killed in Bihar train derailment, sabotage ruled out

    Gaining education, 35 women plan to uplift their communities

    Gaining education, 35 women plan to uplift their communities
    How do you help your backward community living in remote, virtually inaccessible villages to progress if most of them are uneducated? Simple, finish your own studies, train as teachers and then use your knowledge to spread the cause in your home - as these nearly three dozen women are doing.

    Gaining education, 35 women plan to uplift their communities

    Railways announces relief in fares for suburban travel

    Railways announces relief in fares for suburban travel
    Amid concerns in the ruling NDA over the impact of rail fare hike on election-bound states, the railways Tuesday announced relief in monthly season tickets and second class suburban fares.

    Railways announces relief in fares for suburban travel