Potential impact of future climate change on spatial variability of blackgram yield over Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Climate change is no longer a distinct prognosis but become a reality and also proved to have its impacts on crop production. Blackgram, a C3 short duration pulse crop was considered for this study to clarify the controversial statements on adaptability of this crop for changing climate. Dynamically downscaled data (CCSM4 data using REGCM4.4 model) for 1971 to 2099 (RCP 4.5 scenario) was used for the study. The popular cultivars CO6 and VBN6 of Blackgram are employed for the study after calibration and validation of DSSAT model. The impact assessment was carried out with August 1st as sowing date. The yield of Blackgram was found to have beneficial stimulus towards the changing climate under enriched CO2. Considering cultivars, difference was noticed spatially and temporally. The average yield of VBN6 was less than CO6 during base and near century, but it got reverse with time.

Keywords

• blackgram
• climate change
• dssat
• impact assessment
• TamilNadu