U.S. Agro-Climate in 20^th Century: Growing Degree Days, First and Last Frost, Growing Season Length, and Impacts on Crop Yields.

ABSTRACT: Significant air temperature changes have occurred globally during the 20^th century, which are spatially variable to a considerable degree and these changes can have substantial implications in agroecosystem productivity. The agroclimate indicators that are responsible in these contexts are first fall frost (FFF), last spring frost (LSF), climatological growing season (CGS) length, and heat accumulation (growing degree days, GDD). We explore spatial and temporal trends associated with these indices across the continental U.S. (CONUS) during 1900-2014 using datasets collected at 1218 sites. On average, FFF has been occurring later (by 5.4 days century^-1), and LSF has been occurring earlier (by 6.9 days century^-1), resulting in the average lengthening of the C

SUBMITTER: Kukal MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5934404 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature