Influence of Climatic Factors on Yields of Pistachio, Mango, and Bananas in Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of climatic variables (minimum temperature, maximum temperature, average precipitation, and precipitation deviation) on the yields of pistachio, banana, and mango in cold, hot–arid, hot–humid, and temperate–humid climates using the Just–Pope function. The Just–Pope function is a relatively new approach in this context. The most effective variables were identified by stepwise regression and the Feiverson algorithm. Data were collected for the period of 1998–2020 and were tested for stationarity. Finally, the coefficients of the Just–Pope function were estimated for the three crops in the four climates. The results showed that the variables affecting pistachio yield were different in each type of climate. Most variables were effective in warm and dry areas, while cropping area, production trend, and lag were effective in cold regions and in hot and humid areas; the maximum deviation and minimum temperature, production lag, cropping area, and production function were significant in hot and dry regions at the 90% level. The Just–Pope function for pistachio, mango, and banana showed that the impact of temperature and average rainfall was region-specific. Based on the results, a 1% increase in rainfall can increase the banana yield up to 0.032 ton/ha. As Iran experiences extensive climatic fluctuations, horticulturists are faced with difficult conditions. Such practices as the use of cultivars that are resistant to temperature and rainfall variations in the regions in order to alleviate the risk of yield variations in orchards are recommended.