Prospects for maize production in Spain under climate change

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

OSTI ID:248057

Iglesias, A ^[1]; Minguez, M I ^[2]

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1. Inst. Nacional de Investigacion Tecnologia, Madrid (Spain). Centre de Investigacion Forestal
2. 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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
AGRICULTURE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
C CODES
CARBON DIOXIDE
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
MAIZE
PRODUCTIVITY
SPAIN