Response of Crop Yields to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in the North Central Region. (A03-hollinger347850-oral)
Authors:
S.E. Hollinger* - Illinois State Water Survey D. Todey - South Dakota State University
Abstract:
The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has been widely studied to detect the effects of this phenomena on weather and crop yields. Recently, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) has been identified as a ocean-atmosphere teleconnection that affects the weather across the United States. The surface waters off the Pacific Coast of the United States are warmer than normal in the positive phase, and cooler than normal during the negative phase of the PDO. Throughout the 1980 and 1990 decades, the PDO was in the positive phase. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the PDO on the yields of corn, soybean, and wheat in the North Central Region (NCR). In addition, the response of precipitation and maximum and minimum daily temperatures during each of the seasons to the PDO, and their effect on the crop yields were examined. County yields for all three crops were higher during the positive phase. This was associated with higher rainfall, higher daily minimum and lower daily maximum temperatures. Greatest differences in yields were most strongly related to the spring season, with average corn yields 503 kg/ha greater during the positive phase years, similarly soybean yielded 168 kg/ha, and wheat 34 kg/ha more. Corn and soybean yields in northern MI and MN, and southern MO were greater during the negative PDO phase. Wheat yields in northeastern NE, IA, WI, and northern MI and MN were also greater during the negative phase.
Speaker Information: Steven Hollinger, Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820; Phone: 217-244-2939; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Wednesday, November 5, 2003, 7:40 AM-11:15 AM Presentation Start: 8:15 AM
Keywords: Pacific Decadal Oscillation; Yield Response; Precipitation; Air Temperature