Characteristics of spatial-temporal variation of maize climate productivity during last 30 years in China

Based on daily observation data, growth stage data of maize and soil data, the GIS technology and AEZ model were used to simulate the average maize climate productivity and its change trend in China from 1981 to 2010. The results showed that the change trend of spring maize climate productivity was between -887 to 1 689 kg/(hm2·5a); The areas with decreasing trend were mainly distributed in the west part of the Northeast China, the north part of Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and Loess Plateau Regions. The change trend of summer maize climate productivity was between -589 to 1 768 kg/(hm2·5a); Except for the north part of Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, all other regions in China showed an increasing tendency. The photosynthesis and temperature productivity of spring maize and summer maize in the region where maize climate productivity had a decreasing tendency increased evidently from 1981 to 2010. Drying trend of climate was the main driving force of maize productivity fluctuations. The research can provide a reference for overall policy decision of maize production in China.