Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2024, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (23): 105-117.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2023-0767

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characteristics of Drought Changes in Shaanxi Apple Production Area over Last 60 Years Based on Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index

ZHANG Yong1,3(), HUANG Junfang2,3(), LIU Lu1,3, ZHANG Weimin1,3, QU Zhenjiang2,3, LIANG Yi1,3   

  1. 1 Shaanxi Meteorological Service Center of Agricultural Remote Sensing and Economic Crop, Xi'an 710016
    2 Shaanxi Meteorological Training Center, Xi'an 710016
    3 Key Laboratory of Eco-Environment and Meteorology for the Qinling Mountains and Loess Plateaue, Xi’an 710016
  • Received:2023-10-27 Revised:2024-05-23 Online:2024-08-09 Published:2024-08-09

Abstract:

The aim of the research is to clarify the characteristics of drought changes in Shaanxi apple producing areas under the background of climate warming, and provide reference for Shaanxi apple production area to adapt to climate change and scientifically guide drought prevention and damage reduction. Using the monthly precipitation and temperature data from meteorological stations in apple-producing areas in Shaanxi Province over the past 60 years, the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) for each growing season and stage in Shaanxi apple-producing areas was calculated, and its trend, abrupt change, and periodic variation were analyzed. The research results show that the annual precipitation in the apple-producing areas of Shaanxi has been significantly decreasing over the past 60 years, with a general trend towards aridity during the growing season. The mutation points were mainly concentrated in the 1970s and 1990s, with a more pronounced arid trend after the 1990s. Among them, the eastern Weibei apple-producing area was particularly affected, with an increasing risk of aridity. The period from bud formation to early fruiting stage shows a clear arid trend and an increasing risk of aridity. The mutation points were mostly concentrated in the late 1970s to early 1980s and early 1990s. After the early 1990s, the arid trend had become more apparent, especially in the western and eastern Weibei and Guanzhong producing areas. The coloring-ripening period and winter dormancy period show an overall arid trend, with most mutation points concentrated in the 1970s. Since the mid-to-late 1970s, there had been an arid trend, but the change was not significant in all producing areas. The fruit enlargement period mainly fluctuated without a significant trend. The drought analysis based on SPEI combines rainfall and evapotranspiration, considers longer time scales, and is applicable to different climatic regions, providing a more objective reflection of drought conditions in the apple-producing areas of Shaanxi Province under the background of climate warming. The main influencing factors leading to drought in this region are the decrease of precipitation and the increase of temperature caused by climate change.

Key words: apple production areas in Shaanxi province, SPEI, different growth periods, change trends, abrupt change, periodic variation