| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Soils, Plant Growth and Crop Production |
| Subtitle of host publication | Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems |
| Editors | Willy H. Verheye |
| Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
| Publisher | EOLSS Publishers |
| Chapter | 2 |
| Pages | 44-78 |
| Volume | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-84826-367-3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-84826-817-3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Crops are dependent on light, temperature, moisture and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration to produce the grains and other crop products that are so essential to our nutrition, health and well-being. However, the levels of these climate inputs, particularly rainfall, vary between locations and years, in part due to climate variability. Temperature and water supply also vary over the long-term, including in response to climate change, with major implications for crop production, and the livelihood of crop producers. Crop management is therefore very much about managing climate risk so as to have financially viable and sustainable agricultural systems. Climate and management also impact on the spread of weeds, pests and diseases, which in turn affects crop yields and harvests and producers’ costs and returns. These climatic effects on crop production around the world impact on global trade, with implications for net exporters, net importers and consumers, as well as for national and global food security.