4.3 Regional analysis

Figures 4.6 through 4.12 present crop condition information for each of China’s seven agricultural regions. The provided information is as follows: (a) Phenology of major crops; (b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the current season up to July 2017 to the previous season, to the five-year average (5YA), and to the five-year maximum; (c) Spatial NDVI patterns for April to July 2017 (compared to the (5YA)); (d) NDVI profiles associated with the spatial patterns under (c); (e) maximum VCI (over arable land mask); and (f) biomass for April-July 2017. Additional information about agroclimatic indicators and BIOMSS for China is provided in Annex A.

Northeast

For the Northeast region, the monitoring period mostly covers the sowing and cultivation of spring maize. Single-season rice is sowed in part of the region from April on forward, which is similar to the planting window of soybean. Starting in May, the overall condition of crops was below the five-year average, but it recovered in the middle of June as a result of additional precipitation.

According to the CropWatch agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, rainfall was +12% compared to average in Heilongjiang and Jilin, while a 23% drop was observed for Liaoning. These dry conditions, however, changed into wet conditions during late June according to a ground survey in Liaoning. All three provinces experienced an increase in temperature (+0.3°C for the region) and radiation (RADPAR, +4%), which is beneficial for photosynthesis. Shortage of soil moisture led to an overall 5% decrease of biomass (BIOMSS) for the region, with a drop most serious in Liaoning (BIOMSS, -20%).

The NDVI profiles for the entire region stayed below the five-year average before July, but then recovered to average. According to the the VCIx map of Northeast China, the drought area is mainly distributed in the west of Liaoning and Jilin. The biomass map and NDVI cluster show a similar deficit pattern in the same area. Due to recent heavy rain in this area, crop condition is expected to recover but nevertheless deserves close monitoring.

Figure 4.6. Crop condition China Northeast region, April - July 2017

(a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(d)Maximum VCI

(e)Biomass