Adaptation to Climate Change Effects by Cultivar and Sowing Date Selection for Maize in the Northeast China Plain

Cultivar and sowing date selection are major factors in determining the yield potential of any crop region. To explore how climate change affects these choices, this study performed a regional scale analysis using well-validated APSIM-maize model for Northeast China Plain (NEC) which is leading maize (Zea mays L.) producing area China. Results indicated that high temperature had significantly negative effect on grain yield, while effective accumulated solar radiation significant positive effects kernel number. Cloudy rainy weather flowering stage Delayed led to less cloudy during reduced Higher diurnal thermal range precipitation grain-filling also increased 1000-kernel weight. sowing, however, risk early senescence frost (>80%) middle latitude areas. In areas NEC, long-season cultivar (LS) under (I) (6.2–19.9%) was higher than medium (II) or late (III), an sown short-season (SS) medium-season (MS). low MS I III, meanwhile, SS LS. Therefore, warming, LS earlier latitudes were appropriate could mitigate stress temperatures reduce frost. measures alleviate production provides valuable advice breeders selection, choice varieties dates farmers actual production.