Climate Change Possibly Responsible for Increase in US Corn Production

A new study suggests climate change, not genetic engineering, is responsible for recently boosting production in the Corn Belt. This has diminished the long-held notions that human agronomic methods and genetic engineering as the main contributing factor in increased yields.

Climate Change Outweighs Crop Methods and Engineering

Climate change, not genetic engineering, may have been responsible for an increase in crop production along the Corn Belt in the United States recently, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Corn Belt is located across the central US, spanning from Indiana to Nebraska. The Corn Belt has produced more than 33% of the world's corn and produced 20 more times than it did in the 1880s, as per National Geographic.

Prior to the study, modern farming methods and genetic engineering of crops are widely known to have mainly contributed to increased yield.

Over the past several decades, modernization in agricultural methods and technologies has increased corn production significantly to provide substance to a growing population of both humans and animals.

However, climate change-related weather conditions and not human influence have been the most significant factor for an increased boost in corn production in the Corn Belt.

Using data collected for 15 years, the researchers found that 48% of the yield gain in food crops was caused by climate change, followed by 39% with agronomic management, and with 13% only attributed to genetic engineering of crops.

According to National Geographic, while climate change has drastic effects in other parts of the world, its impact in the Corn Belt has been favorable. This is due to slightly longer seasons, especially during the spring season in the US and longer mild weather have helped farmers increase their yields over previous years.

Also read: Crop Farmers Struggle as Climate Change Link to Rise of Agricultural Diseases

New Study's Conclusion Alarms Scientists

The new study opened a fresh inquiry-subject to contestation on whether the current crop methods and genetic engineering of crops are still relevant in the long-term future.

In spite of the potential beneficial effects of climate change yield gains, scientists studying crop production are worried since relying on climate change-related weather conditions alone is not sustainable.

Furthermore, scientists have warned that the continuance of global warming may reverse the effect in the Corn Belt.

Although climate change may have greatly contributed to an increased yield of corn production, the situation is not sustainable in the long run. According to Nathan Mueller, the agriculture researcher at Colorado State University, mild weather conditions caused by climate change that has helped corns are not likely permanent.

According to the Global Change Research Program's recent national climate assessment, the continued effects of climate change such as heatwaves, excessive torrential rain, and drought in the future may significantly affect yield by 2050.

Related article: Agricultural Crop Yields Drop as Heat-Drought Season Rises