Effect of intra-seasonal temperature on wheat at different locations of India: A study using CERES-Wheat model

Abstract

CERES-Wheat model (DSSAT v 4.5.0.0) was used to analyze the effects of rise in intra-seasonal temperature on productivity of wheat and to optimize sowing time for mitigating the effects of rise in intraseasonal temperature at seven wheat growing locations representing different zones of India. The results showed that the temperature rise had differential effect on wheat yield in different zones and also with dates of sowing. Central zone(Udaipur and Raipur) was the most susceptible (yield reduced upto 10.2%) to the rise in temperature by 3.0°C from normal. The Northern hills (Palampur) zone was least susceptible. At Palampur, wheat yield increased upto 4.07% with rise in temperature by 3.0°C from normal during early phases of crop growth while during later phases of crop growth the yield decrease was 3.46-5.79%. The temperature during first fortnight of February was most critical to wheat productivity. However in Northern hills zone, second fortnight of March was most critical as during this period the above normal temperature caused a reduction in productivity of wheat.