Open Field Simulating Nocturnal Warming on Summer Maize Performance in the North China Plain

Climate changes show asymmetrical warming, and warming is typically greater at night than during the day. To understand how nocturnal (NW) affects performance of maize (Zea mays L.), an open-field experiment with a free air temperature increase (FATI) facility was conducted for three seasons 2014 to 2016 Luancheng eco-agro-experimental station on North China Plain (NCP). Three scenarios were set up: entire growing period (T1, from V4 maturity), only vegetative stages (T2, week presilking) reproductive (T3, presilking R6). The treatment without NW control. Maize lodged seriously in 2015 due heavy rainfall combined strong winds, failed. results analyzed this study. During experimental duration, average increased by approximately 3.6 3.3 °C 150 cm height 2.0 1.7 soil surface stages. corresponding increases 2.1 2.5 0.7 1.2 2016, respectively, as compared that CK treatment. whole growth significantly decreased yield two seasons. Treatment T2 had smaller impact T1 T3. silking stage delayed 2 days under T1. As result, duration VT-R1 interval prolonged 1–2 days; postsilking shortened 1–3 moisture warmed plots slightly lower control before earlier grain-filling but water content greatly later which caused fast green leaf senescence exacerbated negative effects yield. (T1) seed weight harvest index. nighttime respiration rate both No significant ear net photosynthesis, area, specific early observed, irrespective season. suggested more sensitive conditions NCP. worsened dry reduction driven aboveground carbon allocation shoot grain postanthesis stage.