During the monitoring period, Maize completed its whole cycle from  sowing to harvest, rice was planted winter wheat reached maturity.

The NDVI development graph shows that crop condition was below average for most of the monitoring period. Rainfall reached 1192 mm,12% below average for the region as a whole, and -7%in  Guangdong, -12% in Yunnan and +5% in Fujian. The precipitation of Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian exceeded 1400 mm while Yunnan recorded 818 mm. The province experienced drought during May, which led to below average crops. From mid and late May, the central part of Guangxi and western Guangdong have been severely affected by floods

61.9% of cropland in South China was affected by floods or drought in May to early June. 14.2% of the cropped area had consistently below the average NDVI during the whole monitoring period, which affected mainly south-western Guangdong Province.

The average temperature in South China was 23.4°C, which is close to average. CALF was close to average as well and BIOMSS was up 3%. In Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi, the biomass decreased while it increased in Yunnan. At the provincial level, the change of biomass was consistent sunshine (RADPAR), the main limiting factor for crop growth when water supply is adequate.

Overall, floods and droughts may reduce crop yields in southern China. CropWatch will continue to monitor crop growth and production in South China in follow-up bulletins. 

Figure 4.13. Crop condition Southern China region, April-July 2019

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Rainfall profile

(c) Temperature profile

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                          (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Maximum VCI                                              (g) Biomass