Student Name: QURAT UL AIN

Student ID: bsf23000651

Program: BS Chemistry 3rd Semester (Morning)
Subject Name: Plant Systematics, Anatomy and
Development.
Subject Teacher: Sir Zia UR Rehman
Assignment 1:
Topic: Climate change and its effect on
production of major crops of Pakistan (Overall)
Crops: Wheat, Maize, Rice, Sugarcane, Cotton.
Climate Change and Its Effects on Major Crop Production in Pakistan
Introduction
Climate change is a global phenomenon with far-reaching impacts, particularly on
agriculture, which is highly sensitive to changes in weather patterns. In Pakistan, a
country where agriculture is the backbone of the economy, the effects of climate
change are increasingly evident. This assignment explores the impact of climate
change on the production of five major crops in Pakistan: wheat, maize, rice,
sugarcane, and cotton.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts and alterations in temperature,
precipitation patterns, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. These changes are primarily driven by
human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial
processes, which have led to an increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the
atmosphere.
Pakistan, with its diverse topography ranging from coastal regions to high
mountains, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country's
economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which contributes about 20% of the
GDP and employs nearly 40% of the labor force. Major crops like wheat, maize,
rice, sugarcane, and cotton form the backbone of Pakistan's agriculture and are
essential for both food security and export earnings.
1. Wheat
Wheat is Pakistan's staple food crop, and its production is heavily reliant on weather conditions. Climate change
has led to an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts, which have
significantly affected wheat yields.
• Impact of Temperature: Higher temperatures during the growing season can reduce the grain-filling
period, leading to lower yields. Heat stress during critical growth stages, particularly flowering and grain
filling, can cause significant yield losses.
• Water Availability: Changes in rainfall patterns and the shrinking of glacier-fed rivers in the Indus
basin have reduced water availability for irrigation. This has exacerbated the impact of droughts, making
wheat production more vulnerable.
• Impact on Growth Stages: Wheat is highly sensitive to temperature changes, particularly during key
growth stages like germination, tillering, flowering, and grain filling. Optimal temperatures for wheat
growth range from 15°C to 20°C. However, with rising temperatures, particularly during the rabi
(winter) season, wheat crops are increasingly exposed to heat stress. Temperatures above 30°C during
the grain-filling stage can lead to reduced grain size and quality.
• Increased Drought Frequency: The frequency of droughts in Pakistan has increased, particularly in the
arid and semi-arid regions where wheat is grown. Drought stress during the early stages of wheat
development can hinder germination and reduce plant vigor, while drought during the later stages can
severely limit grain production.
2. Maize
Maize is another important crop in Pakistan, used for both food and fodder. The impact of climate change on
maize production is multifaceted, affecting both the quantity and quality of the crop.
• Heat Stress: Like wheat, maize is highly susceptible to heat stress, particularly during the flowering
stage. High temperatures can lead to poor pollination and kernel development, reducing overall yields.
• Pest and Disease Pressure: Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have increased
the prevalence of pests and diseases, which can further threaten maize production.
• Heat Stress: Maize is particularly sensitive to high temperatures, especially during its reproductive
stages (tasseling, silking, and grain filling). Optimal temperatures for maize growth range from 20°C to
30°C. However, when temperatures exceed 35°C, especially during the day, the crop experiences heat
stress, which can lead to poor pollination, kernel abortion, and reduced grain fill. This directly reduces
yields.
• Irrigation Challenges: In many regions of Pakistan, maize production relies on irrigation, particularly
in areas where rainfall is insufficient. Climate change has disrupted traditional water supply patterns,
leading to reduced river flows and lower groundwater levels. This makes it increasingly difficult for
farmers to irrigate their maize crops adequately, particularly during critical growth stages.
3. Rice
Rice is a key staple food and a major export crop for Pakistan. However, rice cultivation is highly dependent on
water availability, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
• Water Scarcity: Climate change-induced alterations in the monsoon season and the melting of glaciers
have led to reduced water availability for rice paddies. Since rice requires standing water for cultivation,
this has posed a significant challenge.
• Flooding: While water scarcity is a concern, erratic rainfall can also lead to flooding, which can destroy
rice crops, particularly in low-lying areas.
• Heat Stress: Rice is highly sensitive to temperature, especially during critical growth stages such as
flowering and grain filling. Optimal temperatures for rice cultivation range between 20°C and 35°C.
However, temperatures above 35°C can cause heat stress, which can significantly impact rice yield.
High temperatures during the flowering stage can lead to spikelet sterility, resulting in fewer grains per
panicle.
• Erratic Monsoon: The monsoon season in Pakistan has become increasingly erratic due to climate
change, with shifts in the onset, intensity, and duration of rainfall. Unpredictable rainfall can lead to both
waterlogging and drought conditions, depending on the timing and amount of rain. Excessive rainfall
can cause flooding, which can damage rice plants, particularly in low-lying areas.
4. Sugarcane
Sugarcane is a water-intensive crop that plays a vital role in Pakistan's economy, particularly in the sugar and
ethanol industries.
• Impact of Water Availability: Reduced water availability due to climate change has led to lower yields
in sugarcane. The crop’s high water requirement makes it particularly vulnerable to drought conditions.
• Temperature Fluctuations: Sugarcane is sensitive to both high and low-temperature extremes. Rising
temperatures can shorten the growing season, reducing the sucrose content in the cane, while cold spells
can damage young crops.
• Heat Stress: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause heat stress, which affects the overall
health of sugarcane plants. Heat stress can lead to reduced tillering (production of shoots), stunted
growth, and lower sugar content in the cane. In extreme cases, it can cause physiological damage, such
as leaf scorching and dehydration, which can severely impact yields.
• Drought Stress: The frequency and intensity of droughts have increased in Pakistan, leading to water
stress in sugarcane crops. Drought conditions can severely impact sugarcane growth by reducing leaf
area, slowing down photosynthesis, and impairing nutrient uptake. This results in lower biomass
production and a significant reduction in sugar yield.
5. Cotton
Cotton is Pakistan’s primary cash crop, and its production is critical for the textile industry, which is a
significant contributor to the country's GDP.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Cotton is highly sensitive to temperature changes. High temperatures can
accelerate the growth cycle, leading to premature flowering and reduced boll formation, which directly
impacts yield.
• Pests and Diseases: Climate change has also contributed to the increased incidence of pests, such as the
cotton bollworm, which thrive in warmer temperatures and can devastate cotton crops.
• Heat Stress: Cotton plants are sensitive to high temperatures, particularly during the flowering and boll
formation stages. Optimal temperatures for cotton growth range from 20°C to 32°C. However, when
temperatures exceed 35°C, especially during the reproductive phase, heat stress can occur, leading to
poor flowering, reduced boll formation, and lower fiber quality. Extreme heat can also cause flower and
boll shedding, directly reducing yield.
• Erratic Rainfall: The unpredictability of rainfall due to climate change has become a major challenge
for cotton farmers. Delays in the onset of the monsoon, uneven distribution of rainfall, and sudden heavy
downpours can all negatively impact cotton production. Excessive rainfall during the early growth
stages can lead to waterlogging, which affects root development and nutrient uptake, while inadequate
rainfall during the flowering stage can result in significant yield losses.
Conclusion
The impacts of climate change on crop production in Pakistan are
profound and multifaceted, affecting each of the major crops in
different ways. Addressing these challenges will require concerted
efforts, including the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties,
improved water management practices, and better forecasting and
response strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather
events.
References
• Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Climate Change reports.
• International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) studies on
climate change and agriculture.
• Research papers on the effects of climate change on crop
production in Pakistan.