Effects of climate change on phenology of agricultural crops in Lower Saxony - Opportunities for adaptation demonstrated through energy crop cultivation In comparing two climate periods of the last five decades (1961-1990; 1991-2007) climate changes in Southern Lower Saxony can be summarized as a 1 degrees C higher annual average temperature and a shift in the precipitation pattern (less precipitation in early summer, more precipitation in harvest periods). When looking at different plant species, it could be observed that the phenological development phases of agricultural crops were five to fifteen days earlier in spring. The vegetation period of winter cereals shortened and the vegetation period of winter rape, sugar beet and maize expanded. The cornel building period of winter cereals became shorter and that of winter rape increased. A correlation between phenological data and yield shows positive effects on yield through the acceleration of plant development in winter cereals. This result stands in contrast to winter rape, where an elongated development after flowering leads to higher yields. Interactions through the influence of plant breeding, further multi-factor climate effects and cultivation are discussed as possible influencing variables. Opportunities and chances of adaptation to climate change through selection of plant species, new cultivation concepts, and improved crop rotations are discussed. The importance of plant breeding for the supply of energy crops, adapted to climate change, and new cultivation concepts are underlined.
