The effects of climate change on the yield gap of crops

The amount and quality of agricultural yield can vary significantly due to the considerable impact of management practices and environmental factors on production. Climate change results in alterations to weather patterns and resources, which interrupts the growth and development cycle of plants and greatly impacts the widening of the yield gap. Some of the impacts of climate change include reduced rainfall distribution and duration, rising temperatures, diminished soil ventilation capacity, heightened risk of droughts and floods, increased abiotic stresses, and alterations in the behavior and characteristics of pathogens and pests. Conversely, the rise in both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, like tornadoes and hurricanes, is another consequence of climate change affecting agricultural ecosystems, resulting in a widening yield gap. Given the ongoing climate changes and the arid and semi-arid regions of Iran, it is essential to adapt different plant characteristics and implement management strategies to address the stresses brought on by climate change, such as drought, heat, and shifts in precipitation patterns. This is crucial for narrowing the yield gap of crop plants in the years ahead.

Keywords:

Agricultural ecosystem , precipitation , temperature , stress , yield gap