This report covers the period from the sowing to the peak of the growing season of main crops in the northeast of China (April to July 2022). CropWatch Agroclimatic Indicators (CWAIs) show that the precipitation greatly deviated from the average levels. The total precipitation increased by 35% from the 15YA. It was above average from late May to late July. The photosynthetically active radiation was below average (RADPAR -1%) and the temperature was below average (TEMP -0.3℃). The high precipitation is overall beneficial for crops, resulting in a potential biomass estimate that was 10% above the fifteen-year average level.  However, great variability was observed within this region, with higher positive departures mostly in the western part and negative departures commonly distributed in the eastern part. Significantly below average BIOMSS was mostly located in central and northeastern Heilongjiang province.

The crop conditions during the monitoring period in general were slightly below average from April to June and slightly above average in July, but spatial variations existed. As shown by NDVI clusters and profiles, 22.8% of cropland over Liaoning province and western Jilin province were positive. 9.1% of cropland over northeastern Heilongjiang province and Heihe were negative, indicating that crops in this area were in relatively poor condition. Most parts of Heilongjiang province and central and western Jilin were significantly below average in June and improved in July. In addition, as shown by the crop map of 2021 and 2022, soybean planting area in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia and other places has increased significantly, replacing maize.

The maximum VCI shows that most parts of the Northeast of China were above 0.8, except for a small part in the waterlogged areas. This was mainly due to the flooding caused by significantly above average precipitation. During the field survey, it was confirmed that some fields in low lying areas were damaged by waterlogging and the flooding. NDVI departure maps at the end of July also presented below-average crop conditions, mostly along the rivers and in low land areas.

Overall, crop conditions were normal for this region.

Figure 4.7 Crop condition China Northeast region, April - July 2022

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b)Time series rainfall profile

(c)Time series temperature profile

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

(e) Crop map in 2021 and 2022

(f) NDVI departure from 5YA at end of July

(g) Potential biomass departure from 5YA

(h) Maximum VCI

(i) Waterlogged areas in Heilongjiang province