Raihana Habib Kanth

Impact of Climate Change on Temperate Fruit Production in Kashmir Valley, North Western Himalayan Region of India – Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward

Over the past few decades, anthropogenic changes in the climate of the earth have become the focus of scientific and social attention. The entire temperate western Himalayan region extending from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand has a unique and fragile eco-system, where the very sustenance and livelihood of more than 75 percent of people is dependent on agriculture and draws about 60 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the surrounding ecological resources. The temperate climate in this area makes this region unique and offers tremendous opportunities to produce high quality fruits like apple, peach, plum, almonds, apricot, walnut etc. and of high value off season vegetables and ornamental crops. But in the recent decades, the annual mean temperature of Kashmir valley has increased significantly. Accelerated warming has been observed during 1980–2014, with intense warming in the recent years (2001–2014). During the period 1980–2014, steeper increase in annual mean maximum temperature than annual mean minimum temperature has been observed. In addition, mean maximum temperature in plain regions has shown higher rate of increase when compared with mountainous areas. In case of mean minimum temperature, mountainous regions have shown higher rate of increase. Analysis of precipitation data for the same period shows a decreasing trend with mountainous regions having the highest rate of decrease which can be quite hazardous for the fragile mountain environment of the Kashmir valley housing a large number of glaciers. Increased temperature is affecting vernalization of these high chill requiring fruits like apple, pear, walnut apricot almond and cherries leading to slow growth in production and productivity especially in rain fed areas. In addition,with due to erratic and extreme weather conditions, all kinds of pome and stone fruits are getting heavily damaged and quite often there is a coincidence of snowfall and flowering in most of the fruit and nut crops resulting in severe frost injury and in some cases the higher average temperature during winter inducing early bloom and maturity. The impact of fluctuation in temperature change is so much that most apple and almond trees sprout 2–3 weeks earlier instead of their normal sprout in mid March and April respectively. Frequency of natural disasters like drought, floods and strong winds in some areas has also increased. Cherries are also fast disappearing from their traditional growing areas of Kashmir valley. The diseases like Alternaria leaf spot and scab in apple, gummosis in stone fruits and nuts have become severe. The aphid attack is occurring approximately two weeks earlier under increased temperature. The red mite, white grub and scale insects have emerged seriously in almost all crops impacting productivity and quality of the produce. In the light of changing climate, there is a need to develop climate resilient varieties where crop architecture and physiology may be genetically altered to adapt to changing environmental conditions. At the same time, measures need to be taken for mitigation of the climate change both at local, regional and state level with equal and proactive participation of all stake holders including, farmers, scientific community and administrators of the line/ field department. This chapter aims to discuss about the recent trends of climate change and its impact on temperate fruit crops. Some of adaptive and mitigation strategies to combat the ill effects of climate change on temperate fruit crops have also been discussed.

Climate Scenario in Cold Arid Region and its Future Prediction

Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir State is characterized by excessive aridity and severe moisture deficit throughout the year. On one side of the region are the Karakoram ranges while on the other side lie the mighty Greater Himalayas and Zanskar ranges. Together these impart a rain shadow effect to the region resulting in very low annual precipitation. With scarce water resources, such regions show high sensitivity and vulnerability to the change in climate and need urgent attention. The objective of this study is to understand the climate scenario in the cold arid region of Ladakh region and to characterize its changing climate. The climate over Leh has shown a warming trend with reduced precipitation. The reduced average seasonal precipitation may be associated with some indications of reducing number of days with higher precipitation amounts over the region.

Agro Meteorological Advisory Service

The Agro-meteorological Advisory Service (AAS) rendered by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is a mechanism to apply relevant meteorological information to help the farmer make the most efficient use of natural resources, with the aim of improving agricultural production; both in quantity and quality. A brief introduction to Agro meteorological Advisory Service, Information Support Systems under AAS and Database provided by AAS is given.

Growing Degree Days to Forecast Crop Stages

Plant development depends on temperature. Plants require a specific amount of heat to develop from one point in their life-cycle to another. The ability to predict a specific crop stage, relative to insect and weed cycles, permits better management. This is especially important when three or more crops are being grown on the same farm, each with a different management schedule for pesticide application, fertility management and harvest. The chapter introduces the concept of growing degree days, and other thermal indices used to study and monitor plant growth.

Agro-climatic and Agro-ecological Zones of India

India exhibits a variety of land scopes and climatic conditions those are reflected in the evolution of different soils and vegetation. These also exists a significant relationship among the soils, land form climate and vegetation. Regions are delineated such that each one is as uniform as possible with respect to physiographic, climate, length of growing period (LGP) and soils for macro level and land use planning and effective transfer of agro-technology. Various Agro Climatic Zones of India according to the planning commission of India have been explained along with the classification by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. A section on Agro-ecological Zones of India has been included. The chapter also introduces the Agro-Climatic zones of Jammu and Kashmir and the Micro Agro-Climatic zones of the state. The State of Jammu and Kashmir is located almost in the middle of three climatic regimes of Asia. The chapter introduces the Agro-Climatic zones of Jammu and Kashmir based on physiography. Each province of the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been further delineated into micro agro-climatic zones which have been discussed.

Crop Yield Forecast Models

In agro-meteorological research, the crop models basically help in testing scientific hypothesis, highlight where information is missing, organizing data and integrating across disciplines. The crop growth models can be used to predict crop performance in regions where the crop has not been grown before or not grown under optimal conditions. The chapter introduces Crop Simulation Models and their applications.

Measurement of Cloud Cover

Cloud is an aggregate of very small water droplets, ice crystals, or a mixture of both, with its base above the Earth’s surface, which is perceivable from the observation location. The limiting liquid particle diameter is of the order of 200 µm; drops larger than this comprise drizzle or rain. The chapter describes types of clouds on the basis of their height and appearance. The estimation of cloud cover for meteorological purposes has been given.

Estimation of Climate Change Through Trend Analysis

Climate change effects on the environment and humankind. The chapter describes weather climate and the difference between them. Some emphasis has been laid on describing climate change and climate variability. The chapter also includes information for studying Temperature and rainfall Variation and Trends.

Experimental Agrometeorology: A Practical Manual

Agricultural meteorology encompasses meteorological, hydrological, pedological and biological factors that have an effect on agricultural production. It is also concerned with the interaction between agriculture and the environment. It is an inter-disciplinary science which forms a bridge between physical and biological sciences. Apart from introduction the chapter describes scope of agricultural meteorology and importance of agricultural meteorology.

Introduction to Agricultural Meteorology

Agricultural meteorology encompasses meteorological, hydrological, pedological and biological factors that have an effect on agricultural production. It is also concerned with the interaction between agriculture and the environment. It is an inter-disciplinary science which forms a bridge between physical and biological sciences. Apart from introduction the chapter describes scope of agricultural meteorology and importance of agricultural meteorology.