Abstract

Indo-Gangetic plains comprising the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal became a focal point of studies for the agricultural vulnerability to climate change. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is one of the important winter pulse crops after chickpea in India. The major abiotic stress affecting lentil crop is cold, drought, heat salinity, nutrient deficiency and nutrient toxicity. A micro-level location specific study was conducted to understand the impact of weather changes on lentil crop production at Agra. The average maximum (26.1°C) and minimum temperature (10.4°C) at cropping period (October-March) for the three years (2001–03) was considered as a base line for the purpose of analysis of 10 years' weather data. The deficit of rainfall (25.7 mm) along with increase in maximum and minimum temperature by 0.4° and 0.6°C resulted in considerable abiotic stress on lentil crop production. Flower drop/pod drop in lentil increased during the observation period and abiotic stress may be the major cause of concern for lowering of yield. The estimated yield losses may be as follows (a) deficit in 10 mm rainfall can result in yield loss of 60.6 kg/ha, and (b) increase in maximum and minimum temperature by 0.1°C can result in yield loss of 38.9 and 25.9 kg/ha, respectively. Similarly, a separate attempt was made to understand the probable impact of annual weather changes on the yield of lentil crop at Agra.