CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM: POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND SOIL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES - A REVIEW

Abstract

Climate holds a key position in driving the agriculture of an area. The changing climatic conditions are becoming a big threat for safety of agricultural system and food security across the globe. In developing countries of Asia and Africa, declining soil fertility and drought are the major constraints in harvesting the potential yields. The average temperature around the globe is also expected to rise globally by 6°C in the coming century which is mainly due to uncontrolled emission of greenhouse gases. A prominent elevation in CO2 and CH4 concentration has been observed in the past centuries largely due to fossil burning and urbanization. Further upto 35 percent increase in the concentration of nitrous oxide is also expected due to injudicious use of nitrogenous fertilizers. According to the prediction of climate models the rise in temperature and frequent happening of severe drought are going to affect the agricultural productivity in 21st century. In order to sustain the agricultural productivity it is need of the hour to properly understand the impact of these changes on soil fertility and crop productivity. This review is aimed to highlight the potential impacts of rising temperature, shifting precipitation patterns and rising CO2 concentrations on soil health and agricultural productivity. Soil organic carbon pool is also going to get negatively affected by these changing climatic conditions. It has also been tried to shed some light on the potential of various carbon sequestration strategies conservation tillage, cover crops, Proper nutrient management, proper irrigation management and restoration of degraded soils, in combating the devastating impacts of changing climate. In addition the nitrogen management strategies are also elaborated alongwith manure management to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases.