The effects of climate change on United States rice yields and California wheat yields

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:248053

Barry, T A; Geng, S ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States)

The USA produces 7.9 million tons of rice (Oryza sativa L.), 28% of which is exported to developing countries. Rice is one of the most important grain crops both in the USA and the world. Therefore it is important to understand the impact of weather and climate change on rice yields and production. In the USA rice is produced in California and the Gulf Coast states. It is anticipated that global climate change will have a major influence on agricultural practices and crop selection in these states. This study uses simulation techniques to quantify the potential magnitude of this influence. In addition, the impact of climate change on fall planted dryland spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in California is evaluated. Results indicate that rice yields decrease by between 14 and 24% in the Gulf Coast states and between 11 and 21% in California. In both regions the decrease in rice yields were due primarily to the large increase in summer temperatures. On the other hand, dryland fall planted spring wheat yields in California increase by 62 and 125%. This is because of the increased rainfall and temperatures during the winter months in California.

• OSTI ID: 248053
• Report Number(s): CONF-9211217--; ISBN 0-89118-126-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
PRODUCTIVITY
RAIN
RICE
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
WHEAT