CLIMATE-CHANGE, IRRIGATION, AND CROP RESPONSE

A set of simulation models consisting of a weather generator, and irri gation supply, soil moisture and crop growth components was used to ev aluate the impacts of climate change on irrigated corn in locations ne ar Albany, New York, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Oklahoma City, Oklahom a. The models evaluated the combined effects of modified water demand, supply and crop management (planting date, cultivar selection, irriga tion). Simulations were duplicated for 100-year weather sequences base d on current (1961-1988) weather statistics, and statistics modified b y outputs from the GFDL GCM runs showing the effects from doubling of atmospheric CO2. Climate impacts differed greatly with location end ma nagement. Effects were most adverse in New York and least damaging in Indiana. At all sites, the beneficial effects of longer growing season and increased water supply were generally overcome by the detrimental impacts of increased evapotranspiration and reduced solar radiation d uring plant maturing stages. Adverse impacts of climate change can be substantially reduced by irrigation and appropriate selection of plant ing dates and cultivars.