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Climate Variability and Its Impact on Rice Yield and Disease Dynamics in Pakistan's Basmati Belt

Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Sana E Mustafa
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Ruqeyah Abdul Majeed
Programme management Unit, Agriculture Department, Lahore
Syed Ali Zafar
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Hafiz Mutther Javed
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Rana Ahsan Raza Khan
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Muhammad Usman Saleem
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Misbah Riaz
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Summra Siddique
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
Bilal Atta
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Ammara Nasiba
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Muhammad Sabar
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Muhammad Ijaz
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku
Ruqeyah Abdul Majeed
Programme Management Unit, Agriculture Department, Lahore 42000, Pakistan
Syed Ali Zafar ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Misbah Riaz ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Faisal Rasool
Programme Management Unit, Agriculture Department, Lahore 42000, Pakistan
Rana Ahsan Raza Khan ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Hafiz Mutther Javed ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Amara Nasiba ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Muhammad Usman Saleem ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Tahir Hussain Awan ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
Summra Siddique ORCID
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38070, Pakistan
Bilal Atta ORCID
Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan

Received: 21 August 2025; Revised: 4 October 2025; Accepted: 8 October 2025; Published: 5 January 2026

Abstract

Global agricultural output is seriously threatened by climate change, particularly rice, a commodity essential to both food security and economic stability. This study evaluates the effects of three main climatic factors—temperature, rainfall, and humidity—on rice productivity and disease dynamics in Pakistan with an emphasis on the basmati-growing area of Kala Shah Kaku, Punjab. A mixed-methods approach was used to incorporate a thorough literature study (PRISMA framework) with long-term climate and crop data analysis (1981–2018). Trends were examined using the Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator. The findings revealed a significant rise in temperature (+0.03 ℃/year) and humidity (+0.12%/year), along with a slight drop in rainfall (−2.10 mm/year). Additionally, the yield of Super Basmati rice exhibited a declining trend (−0.02 t/ha/year). The results demonstrate that while rising temperatures over optimal thresholds (20–36 ℃) negatively affect rice growth and reproductive activities, variable rainfall patterns, both surplus and shortage, reduce yield stability. It has been discovered that important rice diseases, namely bacterial leaf blight and sheath blight, are more common when humidity and temperature rise. Rice blast, on the other hand, had a trend that was either lower or declining because its strict environmental needs (16–30 ℃ and >90% humidity) didn't match the milder conditions that were present. Overall, the study shows that in Pakistan's rice systems, climate variability is changing both yield patterns and disease spectra. The results highlight the critical need for improved disease management, climate-resilient techniques, and flexible agronomic practices to sustain rice productivity amid changing climatic conditions.

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