Investigation of climatic factors affecting Canola production using TOPSIS multicriteria decision making approach in Ahar region

Considering the effect of climatic factors on Canola production in Ahar region, north west of Iran, a study was conducted to prioritize climatic and environmental criteria including 21 effective sub-criteria involved in canola production decrease. The required meteorlogical and agronomic data and information were collected directly or via questionnaires prepared by local experts. The relative importance of each sub-criteria was determined by TOPSIS method. The significat climate variables were downscaled by LARS-WG model under A1B, A2 and B1 scenarios. The results showed that the inadequate water availability and air temperature variations were rankied as the first and second most signficat contributors in canola yield reduction. The baseline period (2000-2017) mean annual rainfall of Ahar region is 270.8 mm. The projected mean annual rainfall under A1B, A2 and B1 scenarios were 53.2, 50.4 and 52.8 mm, respectively. Selecting proper adaption measures for cope with these changes is recommended for sustainable production of this crop in Ahar region.