Climate change and crop yields in the Indian Cardamom Hills, 1978–2007 CE
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Date
2011-06
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Abstract
In this study we analyzed climate and crop yields data from Indian cardamom
hills for the period 1978–2007 to investigate whether there were significant
changes in weather elements, and if such changes have had significant impact
on the production of spices and plantation crops. Spatial and temporal variations
in air temperatures (maximum and minimum), rainfall and relative humidity are
evident across stations. The mean air temperature increased significantly during
the last 30 years; the greatest increase and the largest significant upward trend was
observed in the daily temperature. The highest increase in minimum temperature
was registered for June (0.37◦C/18 years) at the Myladumpara station. December
and January showed greater warming across the stations. Rainfall during the main
monsoon months (June–September) showed a downward trend. Relative humidity
showed increasing and decreasing trends, respectively, at the cardamom and tea
growing tracts. The warming trend coupled with frequent wet and dry spells during
the summer is likely to have a favorable effect on insect pests and disease causing
organisms thereby pesticide consumption can go up both during excess rainfall and
drought years. The incidence of many minor pest insects and disease pathogens
has increased in the recent years of our study along with warming. Significant and
slight increases in the yield of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum M.) and
coffee (Coffea arabica), respectively, were noticed in the recent years.; however the
improvement of yield in tea (Thea sinensis) and black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) has
not been seen in our analysis.
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Keywords
climate change, crop yield, indian cardamom
Citation
Climatic Change, 110:737-753