Soil properties resulting in superior maize yields upon climate warming

Abstract

The impacts of global climate warming on maize yield vary regionally. However, less is known about how soil modulates regionally specific impacts and soil properties that are able to alleviate adverse impacts of climate warming on maize productivity. In this study, we investigated the impacts of multiple soil inherent properties on the sensitivity of maize yield (SY,T) to growing season temperature across China. Our results show that a 1°C warming resulted in the largest yield decline (11.2 ± 6.1%) in the mid-eastern region, but the moderate yield increase (1.5 ± 2.9%) in the north-eastern region. Spatial variability in soil properties explained around 72% of the variation in SY,T. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content positively contributed the greatest extent (28.9%) to spatial variation of SY,T, followed by field capacity (9.7%). Beneficial impacts of increasing SOC content were pronounced in the north-eastern region where SOC content (11.9 ± 4.3 g kg−1) was much higher than other regions. Other soil properties (e.g., plant wilting point, sand content, bulk density, and saturated water content) were generally negatively correlated with SY,T. This study is the first one to answer how soil inherent properties can modulate the negative impacts of climate warming on maize yield in China. Our findings highlight the importance of SOC in alleviating adverse global warming impacts on maize productivity. To ensure food security for a rapidly increasing population under a changing climate, appropriate farming management practices that improve SOC content could reduce risk of adverse effects of global climate warming through a gain in yield stability and more resilient production in China’s maize belt.

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Quantitative Trait Loci and Candidate Genes Involved in Deep-Sowing Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Uniform and vigorous seedling emergence is an important precondition for improving maize yield [ 2 ]. Adverse climatic conditions are important limiting factors for the emergence rate and seedling quality of maize [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Deep sowing can effectively mitigate the negative effects of environmental stresses, such as drought and low temperatures, on the growth of maize seedlings [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Maize emergence is influenced by a multitude of factors including genetic variation in seeds, environmental factors, planting depth, and sowing techniques. Adverse climatic conditions, such as drought and low temperatures, are critical factors limiting maize emergence rates and seedling quality [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. However, increasing sowing depth can effectively mitigate the negative effects of environmental stresses such as drought and low temperatures on maize seedling growth [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Integrated QTL Mapping, Meta-Analysis, and RNA-Sequencing Reveal Candidate Genes for Maize Deep-Sowing Tolerance

“…Relative rates of yield increase in maize are slowing and are estimated at about 1.5% per year [1]. Meanwhile, climate change has negatively impacted agricultural production (http://faostat.fao.org/; accessed on 16 January 2023), which will not meet the needs of a rapidly increasing global population in the future; the mean growth rate of crop yield must exceed 2.4% per year to feed an estimated global population of 10 billion by the 2050s [2]. To overcome the stagnation or negative trend of maize yield increase due to environmental changes, it is necessary to develop maize varieties that are more resistant to changing environmental conditions.…”

Influence of different types of soils on the growth and yield of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.)

“…Ideal soil conditions are necessary to increase crop performance. In addition to providing physical support, soil also serves as a supply of water and nutrients, which are essential for crop growth (Feng et al, 2022). An essential first step in raising crops is understanding the relationship between soil types and the growth and development of specified crops (Zhao et al, 2015).…”