Growing SeasonDuration

Most crops require a minimum growing season to complete their life cycle. In tropical regions, where it remains warm year-round, the growing season can extend throughout the year. However, in tropical regions, the growing season can be interrupted by the rainy season:

Adaptive Management andCrop Calendars:

  • Adaptive management of crop growing periods involves adjusting sowing dates and selecting appropriate cultivars based on local climatic conditions.
  • Farmers strategically manage crops to maximize yields and resource use during the most favorable part of the year.
  • The timing of planting and choice of crop varieties significantly affect overall productivity.

Climate Change andCrop Adaptation:

  • As global temperatures rise owing to climate change, plant phenology (the sequence of growth events) is affected.
  • Phenological responses to temperature changes influence crop yield.
  • Farmers’ decisions regarding sowing dates and cultivars play a crucial role in determining crop phenology.
  • Adaptation of growing periods by adjusting sowing dates and using suitable cultivars can mitigate the impacts of climate change on yields.

Germination:

  • Different seeds had the best temperature range for germination. For instance, tomatoes and peppers germinate best at warmer temperatures, whereas lettuce and spinach germinate best at cooler temperatures.

Dormancy:

  • Temperature can influence seed dormancy, which is a state in which seeds do not germinate, even under favorable conditions. Seeds may require exposure to certain temperature conditions to break dormancy and begin germination, and some may frost below certain temperatures.

Climate Adaptation:

  • With global climate change, the selection of heat-tolerant seed varieties is essential. These types of seeds are bred to thrive under warmer conditions, ensuring crop success, even in particularly challenging climates.

Crop Yield:

  • The temperature experienced by the plant can significantly influence the timing of germination, which affects the yield and sustainability of the farm.

Simulation:

  • Integrating models of farmers’ decision making with biophysical crop modeling.
  • Simulations considered counterfactual scenarios: no adaptation, prompt adaptation, or delayed adaptation of sowing dates and cultivars.
  • Timely adaptation of growing periods can increase crop yields and mitigate negative climate change effects.