The Impacts of Particulate Matter on Crop Yield: Mechanisms, Quantification

It is one of two documents that describe the impacts of the two forms of air pollution that are of greatest concern for yield at the global scale; the other document focuses on the impacts of tropospheric ozone pollution on yield.1 Concentrations, sources and hotspots for particulate matter The term “particulate matter” or “PM” covers a wide range of particles that vary in size, origin and physica. [...] The extent of these effects depends on the type of crop, the proportion of leaves that are shaded and the radiation use efficiency (RUE) of the sun-exposed and shade leaves. [...] Communicate the results of this study with science communities involved in climate, agricultural and air quality impacts modelling, while improving links between them • Draw the attention of the climate modelling community to the findings of this guidance document and encourage the inclusion of the impacts of PM on crop yield in future assessments of the implications of climate change for food pro. [...] The overarching aims of this guidance document are to provide in one, easily accessible place: • A description of the sources and concentrations of PM in agricultural areas; • An evidence-based assessment of current knowledge on the direct and indirect effects of PM on crop yields, identifying issues of concern; • An evaluation of current modelling approaches for the individual and combined effect. [...] In a further example, heavy metal concentrations in vegetables grown in an open field 3 km downwind of the city of Udaipur (India) were highest in the leaves of spinach and amaranth, lower in the fruits of tomato and aubergine (eggplant) and least high in the edible parts of carrot and radish (Pandey and Pandey, 2009).