Implications of the Greenhouse Effect on Crop Productivity

Abstract

Agriculturists, and particularly horticulturists, have been notice- ably silent concerning the “greenhouse effect.” We ought to join the chorus for increased research on sources of energy alternatives to fossil fuels, encourage tree plantings, reforestation, and conser- vation tillage and above all support basic and applied research on greater resilience of crops to climatic and other environmental haz- ards and competing biological systems (National Academy of Sci- ences, 1976), including integrated pest management. Increased support of research in these areas was among the lop priorities recommended 12 years ago in the World Food and Nutrition Study (National Academy of Sciences, 1977). and at the International Conference on Crop Productivity-Research Imperatives at Boyne Highlands, Michigan, in 1975 and again in 1985. They remain, in most part, yet to be implemented. Support is also needed among horticulturists for research on the direct effects of rising levels of atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases on crop productivity, research that has received minimal effort compared to that going into climate re- search. Climate research, among horticulturists, should not be ne- glected. In conclusion, the overall positive benefits and negative outputs-climatic, biological, social, economic, and political-of the rising level of atmospheric CO2 and other gases, still need res- olution. However, my best estimate of the impact of a CO2-induced climate change on agriculture is that the change will not be cata- strophic.