Impact of Climatic Variability on Wheat Yield in Indian Subcontinent

The impact of climate influences like temperature and rainfall variation on the wheat yield in different states of India by using regression analysis statistical method has been examined in this study. The grid data of few climatic parameters and crop data were analyzed for fourteen states of Indian subcontinent during 1950 to 2015. A key observation was that temperature and precipitation together explained wheat yield variability of three states significantly which were Rajasthan (39%), Uttar Pradesh (29%) and Madhya Pradesh (22%) respectively. These three states accounts for approximately 50% of wheat production in India together. In many states, it is observed that the climate accounted for more than 20 percent of the variation in wheat yield. Rainfall alone described a variation in around 30 percent of India's total land. However, 50% of regional wheat production is accountable for those states. In colder Nagaland, Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir, the temperature-induced effects were favorable for the yield of wheat, but negative for comparatively warm areas. Rise in temperature is related to reduction in wheat yield in five major wheat producing states (UP, MP, Rajasthan, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh). To find out and underline the critical significance of climate change, our research measures may be used to improve reliable and meaningful determinations of climate vs. crop dynamics for the future.