Impact of climate change on food security

Reduced yields of wheat, rice and

soyabeans in the tropics and subtropics.

Approximately -10% per 1º C warming

Est. reduction of 30-40% by 2100

Reduced nutritional content (especially

protein in wheat and rice)

Increased disease transmission rates

Loss of water stored in snow packs and
glaciers (Eg., Himalayas)

Reduced supply of river supplied water for
irrigation
Impact of climate change on food security

Possible changes in pest and pathogens.

Increased carbon dioxide and plants

Enhanced biomass growth rate for some C3
plants (Benefits limited to <2030 AD)

Temperature increase due to CO2, a net

negative impacts for all crops (C3 and C4)

Effects on soil BGC properties

Effects on plant pathology (reduced protein

content and resilience to disease

• Sea level raise- about 35 cm by 2100

Salinization and loss of arable land
 Biochar in Agriculture

Biochar - carbonized biomass that is effective to
activate living things and improve natural
environment

carbonized biomass such as rice husk charcoal or
wood ash have been valuable material as soil
amendment

symbiosis between effective microbes and plant
root through the medium of charcoal, that
promotes the growth of plants

Biochar help plants’ growth, rise up productivity
and contribute sustaining the quality of soil.
A micro study with Biochar in
C3 and C4 plants in
Dindigul District, Tamilnadu.

Crops studied

Rice (C3 plant)

Maize (C4 plant)

Area of study:

Dindigul District, Tamilnadu
Soil type
Rice area : Clay loam

Maize and Egg plant area : Red loam

Soil pH : In the range of 6.5 – 7.5

(almost neutral)
Soil fertility status : Low nitrogen and medium
phosphorus and potassium

Previous crops grown : Rice / Maize / Pulses

 CROPPING DETAILS
Crops for No. of Crop Terra Untreated
the study farmers area preta control
(m2) trial

Rice 1 160 80 80
Maize 1 80 40 40
Egg Plant 1 200 100 100
(Brinjal)
Total 3 440 220 220
 MANURES AND FERTILIZERS APPLIED

Crop Fertilizers
(kg. NPK per ha)
Rice 120 : 50 : 50

Maize 135 : 62.5 : 50

Brinjal 100 : 50: 30

Crop Fertilizers (kg. NPK per ha)

In the treated fields, Application of 200 kg of powdered charcoal (worked out to

25, 50 and 20 tonnes of charcoal per hectare area of rice, maize and egg plant
crop)
Inputs for Maize Experimental and Control plots
Sl.No Name of the Input Experiment Plot Comparision Plot
(Quantity) 100 (Quantity) 100
Sq.Mtre Sq.Mtre

1 Farmyard Manure (FYM) 125 Kg 125 Kg

2 Charcoal Ash 200 Kg -

3 Vermi compost 50 Kg 50 Kg

4 Nitrogen 3.0 Kg 3.0 Kg

5 Phosphorus 3.9 Kg 3.9 Kg

6 Potassium 0.835 Kg 0.835 Kg

Inputs for Rice Experimental and Control plots
Sl.N Name of the Input Experiment Plot Comparison Plot
o (Quantity) 100 Sq.Mtre (Quantity) 100
Sq.Mtre

1 Farmyard Manure (FYM) 125 Kg 125 Kg

2 Charcoal Ash 200 Kg -

3 Vermi compost 50 Kg 50 Kg

4 Nitrogen 2.650Kg 2.65 Kg

5 Phosphorus 3.125 Kg 3.125 Kg

6 Potassium 0.835 Kg 0.835 Kg

Comparison of Different Parameters-
Parameters-
Rice (C3)
Comparison of Yield Parameters
Comparison of Growth Parameters 3000 2816
2500 2360
80 73 79
2000
60 1500
40 1000
16 12 Terra-preta 256
20 11 9 Control 500 11 10 236 18 18
0 0
Plant Height Tillers/Plant Root Length Productive Grains per Total grains/ hill 1000 grains
tillers/ plant panicle weight (g)
Length in cm
Length in cm

Comparison of Yield Parameters

60 50.6
50 42.5 40.5
40 34
30
20
10 2 2
0
Grain yield (g)/ plant Grain yield (kg)/ plot Straw bundles)/ plot

Length in cm
Economic benefit of Terra-
Terra-preta Agriculture
Income realized (Rs)
Sl.
N Details (Rice) Control plot
o
Experimental Plot

1. Grains 40.5 kg of paddy grains @ 34 kg of paddy grains @

Rs. 12 per kg = Rs. 486 Rs.12 per kg = Rs.408

2. Straw Rs.200 Rs.200

3. Gross Income Rs.686 Rs.608

4. Profit Rs.66 Rs.38

(Gross Income – Cost of
cultivation)
5. Anticipated profit/acre Rs. 3300 Rs. 1900
 Comparison of different parameters-
parameters-
Maize (C4)

Comparison of Growth Parameters 384 371 Comparison of Yield Parameters

400
135 350
140 128 300
120 97.4 95.9 250
100 200 140
80 140
150 88.3 86.9
60
40 100
20 50
0 0
Grains/ cob Weight of 1000 grains % of flowering plants
Germination Plant Height (g)
Percentage
Terra-preta Length in cm
Length in cm
Control
Economic benefit of Terra-
Terra-preta Agriculture

Sl. Income realized (Rs)

N Details- Maize
o Experimental Plot Control plot

1. Grains 29 kg of maize grains @ 23 kg of paddy grains @

Rs. 12 per kg = Rs. 348 Rs.12 per kg = Rs.276

2. Straw Rs.200 Rs.200

3. Gross Income Rs.548 Rs.476

4. Profit Rs.87 Rs.35

(Gross Income – Cost
of cultivation)

5. Anticipated profit / acre Rs.8700/- Rs.3500/-