In the tropics, the warmest temperatures will cut maize and rice harvests by 20 to 40 percent, the researchers said.

研究人员称，极端高温将导致热带地区的玉米和米产量下降20%至40%。

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In traditional plant breeding, some inbred maize plants destined to be crossed with others have their male, pollen-producing tassels cut off to prevent self-fertilisation (maize is a horticultural hermaphrodite, carrying both male and female sex organs).

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In the tropics, the higher temperatures could be expected to cut yields of the primary food crops, maize and rice, by 20-40%, the researchers said.

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October's harvest is expected to produce only some 2m tonnes of grain, and that is assuming North Koreans do not try to cut the crops before they have fully ripened (maize output doubles in the last few weeks of the growing season).

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