Effect of Climate Change on Wheat Productivity

Abstract

Climate is the average of weather situation in a particular area, which affects all parts of ecosystem. Due to industrialization and urbanization, forests are cutting down and converted into living societies. This change in ecosystem disturbs the balance of ecosystem from decomposers to producers and consumers. Important part of ecosystem is plants (producers) that are energy providers. This alteration affects productivity and sustainability of plants. Wheat is staple food, which is highly affected by temperature and CO2 elevation. It not only affects wheat yield but also make wheat vulnerable to several diseases. High temperature causes a high rate of transpiration, which causes drought that ultimately leads to low productivity. A model was designed on drought conditions and result showed that global warming causes serious drought in 60% of wheat-growing areas of the world. Currently, drought affects 15% of wheat productivity. It was predicted that every 2°C shift of temperature can cause severe water shortage in the coming 20 to 30 years. Water shortage at milking and grain filling stage will affect yield. This chapter includes factors affecting climate, impact on wheat growth, yield, and elevation of carbon dioxide, impact on disease severity, prediction model for temperature rise, and CO2 curve in 2050.