Wheat in Danger: How Rising Ozone Cuts Yields Across India

Ozone at ground level has climbed steadily over the last twenty years, and it is hurting one of India’s most important crops. Farmers in the fertile Indo‑Gangetic Plain see their wheat produce shrink each season because of this invisible gas. Scientists measured the amount of ozone that reaches wheat plants and found a clear link to lower yields. Using data from 2005 to 2021, they calculated that wheat losses grew from about a quarter of the crop in 2005 to more than one third by 2021. The numbers are striking: the country lost roughly 21 million tonnes of wheat in 2005, and that figure jumped to almost 49 million tonnes by 2020. Even a small rise in ozone can push wheat yields lower, and the impact is greatest when the plants are flowering or filling grains.During these critical periods, ozone levels regularly exceed 3, 000 parts per billion hours—well above the safety threshold for crops. The Indo‑Gangetic Plain is especially hard hit, because its climate and soil make wheat very sensitive to air quality. Because India’s population is growing and the climate is shifting, this problem could worsen if nothing changes. The study suggests that long‑term monitoring of both air quality and crop health is essential. Researchers also call for experiments that test how much ozone different wheat varieties can tolerate, and for policies that combine farming practices with air‑pollution controls. Only by linking the fields to the skies can India protect its food supply and keep wheat production steady for future generations.