Weather variability in Hamadan province and its impact on wheat, barley and potato yields

Exploring weather variability and its effects on crop yield may help to provide a better understanding of its effects on agricultural production. In this study, the relationship between weather descriptors and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yields were assessed under irrigated farming conditions in Hamadan Province. Long term data (1990 to 2010) of yield and weather variables (rainfall and temperature) were collected from the Agricultural and Meteorological Organizations of HamadanProvince. The relationships between crop yields and climatic variables were studied using correlation and simple linear regression analysis. Results indicated that the association between various crop yield and descriptors varied in different study locations. In Razan and Bahar, yields of the crops studied did not correlate with weather indicators whereas, in other regions, the relationship between rainfall and temperature with crop yields was strong. In Kabodar Ahang, the correlation between wheat and barley yields and Malayer wheat yield with the growing season maximum was negative and decreased with an increasing maximum temperature during the growing season. In all study areas, potato yield did not correlate with rainfall. However, was a significant and positive correlation between barley yield with rainfall in Hamedan, Toyserkan and Nahavand and wheat yield with rainfall in Malayer, Nahavand and Toyserkan. The association of results between various crop yields on a monthly scale, indicate a high and significant correlation (positive or negative) between temperatures in March and April rainfall with crop yield in each part of Hamedan Province.