Agriculture

Yield reduction under climate warming varies among wheat cultivars in South Africa

A. M. Shew, J. B. Tack, et al.

This study reveals how extreme heat significantly cuts wheat yields in South Africa, showing that just 24 extra hours above 30°C can lead to a 12.5% decrease. With predictions indicating substantial yield reductions under various warming scenarios, the potential for cultivar adaptation through breeding is highlighted. This important research was conducted by Aaron M. Shew, Jesse B. Tack, Lawton L. Nalley, and Petronella Chaminuka.

00:00

Playback language: English

Index

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of heat on wheat yields in South Africa using daily weather information and a dryland wheat dataset for 71 cultivars across 17 locations from 1998 to 2014. Extreme heat significantly reduces yields, with an additional 24 hours above 30°C associated with a 12.5% reduction. Uniform warming scenarios predict yield reductions of 8.5%, 18.4%, and 28.5% under +1°C, +2°C, and +3°C warming, respectively. Variability in heat effects across cultivars suggests potential for adaptation through breeding programs.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Sep 02, 2020

Authors

Aaron M. Shew, Jesse B. Tack, Lawton L. Nalley, Petronella Chaminuka

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Agriculture

Interaction of liming and long-term fertilization increased crop yield and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) through mediating exchangeable cations in acidic soil under wheat-maize cropping system

M. Qaswar, L. Dongchu, et al.

Social Work

Invisible among the vulnerable: a nuanced perspective of energy poverty at the intersection of gender and disability in South Africa

M. A. Okyere and B. Lin

Earth Sciences

Escalating tropical cyclone precipitation extremes and landslide hazards in South China under global warming

X. Shi, Y. Liu, et al.

Psychology

COVID-19 and common mental disorders among university students in South Africa

J. Bantjes, S. Swanevelder, et al.

Listen, Learn & Level Up

Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.

No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.

listen to research audio papers with researchbunny