Use of Unique Field Facilities to Simulate Effects of Enhanced Rainfall on Crop Production

Abstract

The major goal of the weather modification research in Illinois has been to develop a technology in rainfall enhancement that would result in increased Illinois crop yields and a reduction in the year-to-year variations of crop yield (Changnon, 1986). Much of what has been assessed about the value of added water on crop yields in Illinois has come from the use of crop yield-weather models based on historical records of yields and past weather conditions (Garcia et al., 1987). The actual rainfall amounts have been used as inputs to regression type models and the predicted yields with the effects of additional rainfall compared to those yields estimated with natural rainfall. The model results point to the importance of summer weather conditions, particularly the July and August rainfall. However, the basis of their computation and the related assumptions leave the prediction of yield increases apt to be obtained too uncertain. Thus, actual field experiments are needed to evaluate and quantify the effects of differing amounts of additional rainfall on crop yields.