Global synthesis of drought effects on cereal, legume, tuber and root crops production: A review

Abstract

As a result of climate change, drought is predicted to pose greater pressure on food production system than in the past. At the same time, crop yield co-varies with both environmental (e.g., water, temperature, aridity) and agronomic variables (i.e., crop species, soil texture, phenological phase). To improve our quantitative understanding on the effects of these co-varying factors on agricultural productivity, we synthesized previous meta-analysis studies summarizing the results of numerous independent field experiments on drought and its effect on the production of cereal, legume, root and/or tuber (root/tuber) crops. We also included new crops species that were not covered in previous meta-analyses and the effects of heat stress. Our results indicated that cereals tended to be more drought resistant than legumes and root/tubers. Most crops were more sensitive to drought during their reproductive (i.e., grains filling, tuber initiation) than during their vegetative phase, except for wheat, which was also sensitive during vegetative phase. Recovery from drought impact at reproductive phase was either: (i) unfeasible for crops experiencing damage to their reproductive organs (e.g., maize, rice) or (ii) limited for root/tuber crops, provided that water was abundant during the subsequent root/tuber bulking period. Across soil texture, the variability of yield reduction for cereals was also lower in comparison to legume or root/tuber crops, probably due to the extensive and deep rooting system of cereal crops. As crop species, plant phenology, and soil texture were important co-varying factors in determining drought-induced crop yield reduction, no single approach would be sufficient to improve crop performance during drought. Consequently, a combination of approaches, particularly site-specific management practices that consider soil conditions (i.e., intercropping, mulching, and crop rotation) and selection of crop varieties adjusted to the local climate should be adopted in order to improve the sustainability of agricultural production in a changing climate.