PECULIARITIES OF CHANGES IN SOWN AREA STRUCTURE OF MAIN TYPES OF CEREALS AND LEGUMINOUS BETWEEN COUNTRIES AND GEOGRAPHICAL ZONES OF THE WORLD

Abstract

We report the results of investigation of the sown area structure of main types of cereals and leguminous plants in different countries and regions of the world in 2004-2010. Electronic versions of the maps of change in the sown area structure are presented for various geographical zones of the world. It is shown that the difference in the structure of areas under crops in the latitudinal direction is largely determined by agro-climatic conditions. It is found that in tropical and subtropical climates humidification plays an important role, whereas in temperate zones the heat factor (sum of active temperatures) comes to the fore. A conclusion is made that in equatorial and sub-equatorial geographical zones of Africa there is significant potential for increasing the gross grain yields due to optimization of the structure of crops.