Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
sustainable agriculture and a mission on strategic knowledge
on climate science are the most important.
Consequent to changes in the soil temperature, soil moisture
and composition of gases in the root zone, there are likely changes
with respect to root growth, composition of root exudates, soil
processes, nutrient dynamics, decomposition and so on. The
increase in CO
2
content will have a beneficial effect on C
3
crop
and the dicot weeds may compete with the sugarcane crop. There
could be higher incidence of pests and disease under the altered
temperature regime. If the ambient temperature remains within
the favourable range for pests, insect species will complete more
generations, thereby leading to a larger population than normal.
Climate change is likely to affect the pathogen, host or the host-
pathogen interaction. The change in climatic conditions will have
an impact on the pathogen variability. Given the changing cli-
matic conditions, the overall disease scenario in sugarcane sug-
gests that besides resistant varieties, other approaches are needed
to be taken care of for disease management.
7. 8
Conclusion
The overall scenario that is emerging is that climate change
will affect sugarcane productivity through reduced growth,
increased weed competition and increased incidence of pests
and disease. Studies have estimated that for every 2°C rise in
temperature, the sucrose yield will be reduced by about 30%.
The decrease in yield is attributed to increased moisture stress
caused by the warmer climate.
References
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Christin PA, Salamin N, Savolainen V, D uvall MR,
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de Souza AP, Gaspar M, da Silva EA, Ulian EC,
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2
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