CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON INTERANNUAL (2022 AND 2023) COMPARISON OF WHEAT PRODUCTION UNDER ARID AGROCLIMATIC CONDITION OF PAKISTAN

In this study we assessed the impacts of climate change on the production of wheat in Layyah, Pakistan, for two seasons. The study was carried out with the view of evaluating the effects of temperature and rainfall on biomass production of the wheat crop and consequently on yield and quality of the produce. Weather conditions during the planting, growth, development and maturation period were used for the study. To conduct the experiment, a one-acre field was decided to be divided into four groups comprising two kanals each to avoid any mixing of groups and for proper and effective data collection and assessment. Some of the variables, which were analyzed include grain yield, 1000 grain weight, tiller count, spikelet number and straw yield. The experiment gave the following production; Grain yield of 1960 kg per acre and straw yield of 2840 kg per acre in 2022-2023 production season with improved yield records as compared to the previous year. Also, the yield achieved during the 2022 to 2023 periods was higher in tillers, spikelet’s, and a heavier grain content as compared to the 2021 to 2022 periods. According to the study, climate change has quite effect on the production of wheat in Layyah-Pakistan. The 2021-2022 crop growing season experienced La Nina and high temperatures, resulting in lower crop yields. However, during the 2022-2023 growing season, also a La Nina period, crops received sufficient water and optimum temperatures. This led to higher biomass production and increased grain production.