ABSTRACT:We examined extreme temperature and precipitation as indicative climatic variables to determine recent climatic changes over Iran. We present the results from 27 synoptic stations which have been quality controlled, tested for homogeneity and have less missing data. For each station, 27 indicative climatic indices recommended by the joint World Meteorological Organization CCL/CLIVAR/JCOMM Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) were calculated.Marked negative trends for indices like frost days (FD), ice days (ID), cool days (TX10p), cool nights (TN10p) and diurnal temperature range (DTR) were found over most regions of Iran. Conversely, positive trends were found for summer days (SU25), warm days (TX90p) and tropical nights (TR20) over most regions of the country. For indices such as Cold Spell Duration Index (CSDI) and Warm Spell Duration Index (WSDI), both positive and negative trends were obtained.We found negative trends in consecutive dry days (CDD) over most of the country. A negative trend was observed for about two-thirds of the country for annual total wet days precipitation (PRCPTOT). Positive trends in the Simple Daily Intensity Index (SDII) were found for the northern half of the country, and concurrently negative trends in total wet days for many places within the same region. We observed a negative trend in very wet days exceeding the 95th percentile (R95p) over the eastern and western regions, and a positive trend over the central region of the country, although a clear negative trend was observed for extremely wet days exceeding the 99th percentile (R99p) over most of the country. No similar trends in either the maximum 1-day precipitation (Rx1DAY) or maximum 5-day precipitation (Rx5DAY) were found over the country.

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For estimation of grain yield in wheat, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is considered as a potential screening tool. Field experiments were conducted to scrutinize the response of NDVI to yield behavior of different wheat cultivars and nitrogen fertilization at agronomic research area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) during the two years 2008-09 and 2009-10. For recording the value of NDVI, Green seeker (Handheld-505) was used. Split plot design was used as experimental model in, keeping four nitrogen rates (N1 = 0 kg ha−1, N2 = 55 kg ha−1, N3 = 110 kg ha−1, and N4 = 220 kg ha−1) in main plots and ten wheat cultivars (Bakkhar-2001, Chakwal-50, Chakwal-97, Faisalabad-2008, GA-2002, Inqlab-91, Lasani-2008, Miraj-2008, Sahar-2006, and Shafaq-2006) in subplots with four replications. Impact of nitrogen and difference between cultivars were forecasted through NDVI. The results suggested that nitrogen treatment N4 (220 kg ha−1) and cultivar Faisalabad-2008 gave maximum NDVI value (0.85) at grain filling stage among all treatments. The correlation among NDVI at booting, grain filling, and maturity stages with grain yield was positive (R 2 = 0.90; R 2 = 0.90; R 2 = 0.95), respectively. So, booting, grain filling, and maturity can be good depictive stages during mid and later growth stages of wheat crop under agroclimatic conditions of Faisalabad and under similar other wheat growing environments in the country.