Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
and storms. For example, in 2013 India, lost about half a million tons of
rice due to occurrence of floods. The most of the rice varieties can with-
stand submergence for about 6 days, but after this period high mortality of
approximately 50% is recorded. Submergence for 14 days or longer cause
crop mortality up to 100%. Complete submergence at flowering stage
completely devoid grain filling. However, changes in climate are already
being observed in the last 60 years were the warmest in the last 1000 years
and changes in precipitation patterns have brought greater incidence of
floods or drought globally (Samra, 2002).
19.2.3.2
SCANTY RAINFALL
In certain vulnerable arid and semiarid regions, increased temperature
has already resulted in diminished precipitation. Increased temperatures
cause an intensification of the water cycle with more extreme variations
in weather events and longer lasting droughts. Large areas in Rajasthan,
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra and some areas of Karnata-
ka, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar
Pradesh are already experiencing recurrent drought and currently experi-
encing water deficits. In dry land areas, marginal cropland could convert
to range land, and some cultivated land and rangelands could no longer
be suitable for food and fodder production. More frequent drought would
necessitate greater multiyear reservoir storage capacity, in which India is
currently deficient. Water conservation and management practices, as well
as water storage will need urgent attention. Similarly, the drought of 2002
reduced area under rainfed agriculture more than 15 m ha and resulted in a
loss of more than 10% in food production (Aggarwal, 2007).
19.2.4 SOIL AND MINERALS
The precipitation patterns are impacted by climate change and soil health
is also heavily affected. This is because changes in temperature and pre-
cipitation influence water run-off and soil erosion reduced organic car-
bon, microbial biomass and nitrogen content in soil profile. Soil erosion
and poor drainage also developed salinity in the soil. This impact also
observed on the biodiversity of soil microorganisms. High air temperature
and solar radiation increases soil temperature which may check growth
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