Climate change impact on pulse in India- A review

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as one of the major global environmental issues, due to its subsequent impact on food production and food security. The changing climatic conditions have a major impact on rainfed crops including pulses. Since pulses occupy major share in rainfed agriculture, reduction in yields as a result of climate change are predicted to be more pronounced for these crops. The increasing CO2 concentration is posing a serious threat as it leads an increase in the average global temperature but the same has been positively correlated with increased biomass and yield particularly in C3 plants. Pulses are reported to be particularly sensitive to heat stress; a short span exposure of high temperature at flowering stage can cause heavy yield losses through damage to anthers, flower drop and pod damage. The predicted changes in temperature and their associated impacts, water availability, pests, disease, and extreme whether events are likely to affect potential of pulse production. Major pulses such as chickpea, pigeon pea, lentil grown under rainfed conditions are subjected to multiple stresses viz. drought, high and low temperatures, high solar radiation, salinity and waterlogging. If present trend in climate change continues as projected through various weather prediction models, the adverse situation will more pronounce for pulses crops. Global warming is already underway and adapting strategies are now a matter of urging, especially for the most vulnerable poor countries. An appropriate climate policy should be to minimise the effects of climate change at farm, regional, national and international level.