The condition of crops was generally average in the South American MPZ during the monitoring period. Sufficient (40% above average)rainfall was observed over the whole area, which was beneficial for crops. High temperature (0.9°C above average), however, had negative effects on crops.Overall agroclimatic conditions were nevertheless beneficial to crops as shownby an 18% above average value for BIOMSS.

Figure 2.3 presents agroclimatic and agronomic indicators for the MPZ over the last four months. Spatially, significantly above average BIOMSS occurred in the central Pampas in Argentina and Mato Grosso do Sol and neighboring states in Brazil, where crops enjoyed adequate rainfall. Rainfall clusters and the corresponding profiles also confirm this. Below average BIOMSSis observed in adjacent regions of Paraguay resulting from both low rainfall and high temperature. According to the temperature departure clusters and profiles, the extreme high temperature in May and late July dominates the whole MPZ and had negative impacts on crops as confirmed by a low vegetation health index (VHI). Rainfall was more than double the normal precipitation in Goiasand Mato Grosso and around 70% above average in Mato Grosso Do Sul and Parana from April to July (see also annex A, table A.5). The abundant rainfall mitigates the impacts of high temperature on crops as shown by high values indicated on the maximum vegetation index (VCIx) map.

The VCIx map further indicates crop conditions in Argentina are less favorable than those in Brazil. The low VCIx values in Argentina are mainly due to the unseasonably early harvest of summer crops concluded in April, which was already observed in the previous bulletin. Average VCIx for the MPZ is 0.67 over the reporting period. Meanwhile, CALF is 89%, which is 1percentage point above the previous five-year average. Most of the un croppedarable land is in an area between Bahia Blanca and Santa Rosa. Other un croppedarable land is scattered in the northern part of the MPZ.

Figure 2.3.South America MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, April-July 2015