Impact of projected climate change on wheat and maize in middle Gujarat agro-climatic zone

Abstract

The impact of projected climate change on wheat and maize (kharif and rabi) have been studied for Anand and Dahod districts of Gujarat state using PRECIS output of A2 and base line data. Yield simulation study was performed by InfoCrop model. The field experiment data on wheat collected at Anand during 2005-2009 and for maize collected at Dahod during 2004-07 respectively were used for calibration and validation of the model. The simulated yield over projected period (2071-2100) showed that nearly 38 to 43 % yield reduction was noted in both the cultivars as compared to their base yield. However, the yield reduction was lower under late sown condition (30th Nov.) and higher in early sown (1st Nov.). In case of maize cultivars the percent reduction in yield during kharif season was higher in 15th July sowing as compared to 1st July sowing. Under normal (1st July) sowing nearly 40 % reduction in yield was simulated by model during projected period. During rabi season the yield reduction was less which clearly suggested that rabi sowing of maize found most beneficial under climate change as compared to kharif sowing.

Keywords

• PRECIS
• simulation
• InfoCrop
• Climate change