Prospects for maize production in Spain under climate change
- Inst. Nacional de Investigacion Tecnologia, Madrid (Spain). Centre de Investigacion Forestal
- Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros Agronomos, Madrid (Spain)
Agricultural productivity and water resources may be affected by global climate change. Three global climate models (GCMs) and the CERES-maize crop model were used to explore the potential impacts of climate change on maize (Zea mays L.) production in Spain. This study was carried out in five regions that include the largest areas of Spain where maize is grown as a high input crop. Although the results depend on the severity of climate change and the physiological effects of CO{sub 2} on the crop, the simulations under the present management practices suggest that yields are likely to decrease in the all production areas. This is due to a shortening of the crop growth duration as temperatures increase. Finally, this study evaluated changes in crop management that may represent the adaptation of farmers to changing climate conditions. Adaptation strategies based on earlier sowing dates or choice of hybrids with a longer crop growth duration compensated for climate change impacts only in two regions, but not in the main maize-growing areas of central Spain. The high production costs of this crop and the limited water available for irrigation may force maize production to be abandoned in some areas, especially in Central Spain.
- OSTI ID:
- 248057
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9211217-; ISBN 0-89118-126-1; TRN: IM9628%%157
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1992 annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Minneapolis, MN (United States), 1-6 Nov 1992; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Climate change and agriculture: Analysis of potential international impacts; PB: 399 p.; ASA special publication, Number 59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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