By October, the autumn grain crops such as late rice and maize had been harvested in the Lower Yangtze region.

According to the CropWatch agro-climatic indicators, the accumulated precipitation and temperature were 13% and 0.6℃ higher than the 15-year averages, respectively. The photosynthetically active radiation was slightly below average (RADPAR -2%) because of increased number of rainy days. The above-average precipitation and temperature resulted in an increase of biomass potential production by 6%, as compared to the 15YA.

As shown in the NDVI development graph, the crop growth was generally close to the average level during this period. 63.5% of the area, mostly distributed in the northern, central, and western parts of the region, including Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, southern Henan and northern Jiangxi provinces, presented near-average crop conditions throughout this monitoring period. The potential biomass departure map shows a similar spatial pattern with most areas having values between -10% and +20%. The average VCIx of this region was 0.94, and most of the area had VCIx values ranging from 0.8 to 1, indicating that the crop growth was generally normal during the peak growth period.

Overall, the crop conditions in the Lower Yangtze region were normal.

Figure 4.8 Crop condition China Lower Yangtze region, July - October 2023

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI      (b) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA (c) NDVI profiles

(d)Time series rainfall profile                                                                                                      (e)Time series temperature profile

(f) Maximum VCI                                                                            (g) Biomass departure