Climate Change Impacts on Tomato Production in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Strategic Insights -

A new study published by Siirt University and the Institute of Economic Development and Social Researches has examined the effects of climate change on tomato production in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. The research, conducted by Alper Baydar and colleagues, used a regional climate model and the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop simulation model to simulate the impacts of climate change on tomato production in the region. The study found that precipitation will decrease by 21-25% and minimum and maximum temperatures will increase by 16-29% in the region by 2099, leading to a 16-17% decrease in tomato yield.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop simulation model to simulate the impacts of climate change on tomato production in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey.
  • The research predicted a 21-25% decrease in precipitation and a 16-29% increase in minimum and maximum temperatures in the region by 2099.
  • The study found that tomato yield will decrease by 16-17% and biomass will increase by 30-32% in the region by 2099 under climate change conditions.
  • The research recommended comparing model outputs with field data to improve the accuracy of climate change predictions.
  • The study concluded that the DSSAT crop simulation model can be used to estimate yield and growth parameters in agronomy studies.

Statistics:

  • 21-25% decrease in precipitation in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey by 2099
  • 16-29% increase in minimum and maximum temperatures in the region by 2099
  • 16-17% decrease in tomato yield in the region by 2099
  • 30-32% increase in biomass in the region by 2099
  • The study simulates climate change conditions using the regional climate model from 2001 to 2099.

Sources:

  • Simulating the Effects of Climatic Changes on Tomato Using Regional Climate Model and DSSAT Crop Simulation Model. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2025, 9(2).
  • Institute of Economic Development and Social Researches.
  • Alper Baydar, Siirt University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Biosystem Engineering, Siirt.