The condition of spring crops was generally unfavorable in Inner Mongolia for the current reporting period. Among the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, RAIN was somewhat above average (+3%); TEMP was below (-0.5°C), and there was no change in the biomass production potentialBIOMSS. Conditions were favorable for the sowing and early growth of spring crops, as illustrated in the crop development graph from April to late May. InJune, however, dry weather affected crop growth. Crops recovered gradually, andby late July crop condition was above average. West Liaoning, central andsoutheast Inner Mongolia, northern Ningxia, Shaanxi, and Shanxi all sufferedunfavorable vegetation condition according to the VCIx map. This is furtherconfirmed by the presence of uncropped areas as in partly cropped arable land,the potential biomass is poor as well. Generally crop condition was unfavorablefrom April to July. If unfavorable conditions are maintained over the wholecycle, crop growth will be restricted and the outcome may altogether be a poorseason.

Figure4.9. Crop condition China Inner Mongolia, April-July 2015

(a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                           (c)NDVI profiles

)Maximum VCI                                                                                      e)Biomass