Agriculture in a changing climate

As carbon dioxide levels rise, production of most agricultural and horticultural crops increases. A warmer climate will also extend the growing season by 6 – 10 weeks.

Crops such as hay, root vegetables, green vegetables, fruit and berries will all benefit. Autumn-sown crops such as wheat and oilseed rape will increase, and sunflowers may provide an additional source of vegetable oil. Vineyards may become commonplace in southern Sweden, and within 40 – 50 years it will be possible to cultivate corn to ripeness in central Sweden. New cultivars, adapted to cope with our long hours of summer daylight, will have to be developed.

Researchers believe that crops will be more susceptible to attack by insects, fungi and viruses. Changes in the weed flora and growing resistance problems will also increase the need for herbicides and pesticides. Erosion and leaching of nutrients owing to more abundant precipitation will necessitate more use of fertilisers.