Examining Climate Change Effects on Wheat / February 24, 2011 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service
Researchers with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) installed infrared heaters in experimental wheat fields at the agency’s Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center in Maricopa, Ariz., to simulate growing conditions expected by 2050. As expected, the heaters accelerated growth, increased soil temperatures, reduced soil moisture, induced mild water stress on the crops and had a nominal effect on photosynthesis.
While the research was conducted to identify adjustments to planting schedules, the decreased water content in soils with increased heat is going to have other ecosystem effects, other than simply plant yield. Dr Swetnam of the University of Arizona http://web.me.com/twswetnam/Pyrodendrochronology/Home.html presented gave a thought provoking presentation at the Forests at Risk symposium in Aspen, CO last week http://www.fortheforest.org/page_82. Based on tree-ring data going back 2,000 years, there have been two severe drought periods in the southwest. Regardless of the cause, we need to be looking at innovative ways to handle drought conditions within the southwest.
ASC and partners are looking at biochar for improved water holding capacity in reclamation sites in the Intermountain West, and the same approach may be useful for agricultural areas as well.
