Simulated soya bean production during the recovery phase of a nuclear winter

Abstract The recovery phase of a nuclear winter has been projected to restrict plant productivity for 1–3 years because of reductions in temperature and solar radiation. Since soya bean may be a crucially important crop after a nuclear war, a physiologically-based model was used to simulate potential production. Simulated temperature reductions throughout the growing season of 2–4°C allowed some crop production, but yields were substantially reduced. Greater temperature reductions resulted in crop failures for the longer season cultivars.