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Explora: Environment
and Resource Climate change and apple yield

Figure 5. Trend of apple yield

opposed to pomegranate, peach, apricot, and grape plants
that require intermediate chilling. A prior study has also
42
documented the influence of climatic parameters on apple
crops. Climatic conditions have an impact on not only
43
the yield but also the quality of apples. Changes in a climate
like extreme weather would definitely affect the crop. Thus,
there is a need to protect the plants from extreme weather
and cultivate plants that are tolerant to environmental
stress. Another solution is to minimize the effect of climate
change by protecting the environment from pollution. This
Figure 6. Time series plot of actual yield and projected yield can be achieved by encouraging carbon reduction through
cultivation of plants capable of sequestering carbon.
temperature in Kullu district, India. Other investigations
35
reported that very high temperature caused a disruption 5. Conclusion
to the crop development, reproductive phase, pollen, The study revealed indications of regional climate change
and fruits generation. 36,37 The similar consequences of in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh state of India, which
temperature on flowering, plant growth, and crop yield are probably attributed to the increasing concentrations
of the different types of crops have been reported. of greenhouse gases released. An increase in the average
38
Moreover, temperature has potential links to plant disease annual temperature was observed. The maximum increase
inducement, pathogenic invasion, and insect attack on of average temperature amounting to 0.95°C was observed
crops. It has been reported that a rise in temperature in the month of March, whereas the maximum decrease
curtails crop yield by 2.5 – 10%. 39 of average temperature was recorded in the month of
The present study depicted snowfall as having a July. Rainfall showed a significant increase in the months
significant impact on apple yield, establishing a significant of February, March, April, and May, with February
positive correlation between the two. Variation and decline recording the highest increase at 20 mm. Shimla district
of snowfall may result in a reduced chilling hour, which received declined snowfall due to which tropical plants are
can lead to lower apple yield. Several studies have reported affecting. The trend analysis indicated a snowfall reduction
2
that the insufficient chilling hours due to reduced snowfall of 20.25 kg/m in the last 15 years.
resulted in a delay in leaf development and flowering, which The study area also showed a marked decrease in 210
lead to decreased apple yield. 40,41 It is known that the apple, chill units in the past 28 years. This irregularity in climatic
walnut, pear, and plum plants require high chilling, as parameters boosted the risk of apple yield reduction up

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2024) 7 doi: 10.36922/eer.3608