Temperature thresholds and crop production: a review

Abstract

Temperature thresholds for a range of crops from cereal crops to horticultural crops and to legum crops were identified through an extensive literature review. Identification of temperature thresholds provides a basis for quantifying the probability of exceeding temperature thresholds which is a very important aspect of climate change risk assessment. The effects of extreme temperatures on yield and yield components were then reviewed and summarised. Through these processes, critical phenophases were defined based on the sensitivity of crop yield and/or yield components to extreme high temperatures which were imposed on various phenophases. Information on the direction and degree of the impact of extreme temperature on yield/yield components can contribute to the improvement of crop models in which the effects of extreme temperature on crop production have not been adequately represented at this stage. Identification of critical phenophases at which crops yield and/or other economic characteristics are sensitive to extreme temperatures will help scoping appropriate adaptation options.