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Featured Application: This work helps to realise improvements in the cultivation of corn and corn–nixtamalisation–dough–tortillas production, which could mean more environmentally friendly food production. The research on the environmental impacts of corn-derived products has been mainly on cultivation techniques and the production of biofuels, so there is limited information on the impacts produced by the transformation of corn for human consumption. The tortilla is a millennial product derived from corn of which consumption is increasing in North America. The aim of this study is to identify the environmental hotspots of the tortilla using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The process studied included only the corn–nixtamalisation–dough–tortillas production. The functional unit is one kg of tortillas packed in kraft paper. The impacts of the tortilla production process were evaluated using SimaPro 8.5.0 software, considering ReCiPe Midpoint. The production has the greatest impact in 15 of the 18 impact categories. The normalisation reveals that the most significant impacts concentrate in the categories terrestrial acidification (TA), particulate matter formation (PMF), marine ecotoxicity (MET) and fossil fuel depletion (FD). Improvements in the cultivation could mean more environmentally friendly tortilla production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper purpose was to assess the impact of climate change on wheat, maize and sunflower yield in the period 2017-2021, using statistical data from National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and National Administration of Meteorology (NAM) and other sources. Comparison method was used to evaluate the deviations between the registered air temperatures and precipitations and the 1981-2010 climatological norm. Graphic method reflected the dynamics of monthly air temperatures and rainfalls in each year. Descriptive statistics for mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation reflected an more comprehensive image upon air temperature, precipitations and yield. Correlations and regression equations were used to establish the intensity of the kinks between climate factors and yield. The highest average air temperature In Romania was 12.130C in 2019. In the period 2017-2020, the average annual temperatures exceeded the climatological norm 1981-2010 accounting for 9.10C. The lowest rainfalls, 614.2 mm, were recorded in 2019, being below of 633.1 mm the norm for the period 1981-2010. The high temperatures associated with drought and low precipitations have deeply affected yield of many agricultural crops, including maize, wheat and sunflower. The highest wheat yield 4,888 kg/ha was achieved in 2017, and the lowest one, 2,966 kg/ha in 2020. Maize registered the highest performance of 7,644 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 3,977 kg/ha in 2020. Sunflower carried out the high performance 3,041 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 1,858 kg/ha in 2020. The worst agricultural years for these three crops was 2020, but 2017 favored wheat, while 2018 favored maize and sunflower. The correlation coefficient had in general small values between average temperature and yield, but a higher link with precipitations level. The multiple correlation between yield, air temperatures and precipitations was: r= 0.817 for wheat, r = 0.116 for maize and r = 0.504 for sunflower. In the South Eastern Dobrogea, the driest area in Romania, the rainfalls declined by 65% in the period 2018-2020 having a deep negative impact on sunflower seeds yield, which decreased from 4,282 kg/ha in 2018, to 1,503 kg/ha in 2020. The correlation between precipitations and sunflower yield positive and very strong (r = 0.737). As a conclusion, the climate conditions should be analyzed in each farm and farmers have to take measure to adapt the technologies for sustaining production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is affecting all regions of the world with different climates, and the scale of damage is increasing due to the occurrence of various natural disasters. In particular, maize production is highly affected by abnormal climate events such as heat waves and droughts. Increasing temperatures can accelerate growth and shorten the growing season, potentially reducing productivity. Additionally, enhanced temperatures during the ripening period can accelerate the process, reducing crop yields. In addition, drought stress due to water deficit can greatly affect seedling formation, early plant growth, photosynthesis, reproductive growth, and yield, so proper water management is critical to maize growth. Maize, in particular, is tall and broad-leaved, so extreme drought stress at planting can cause leaves to curl and stunt growth. It is important to understand that severe drought can have a detrimental effect on the growth and reproduction of maize. In addition, high temperatures caused by drought stress can inhibit the induction of flowering in male flowers and cause factors that interfere with pollen development. It is therefore important to increase the productivity of all food crops, including maize, while maintaining them in the face of persistent drought caused by climate change. This requires a strategy to develop genetically modified crops and drought-tolerant maize that can effectively respond to climate change. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of climate change and drought tolerance on maize growth. We also reviewed molecular breeding techniques to develop drought-tolerant maize varieties in response to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the prospects of Ukraine on the world grain market and ways to increase the efficiency of maize cultivation using environmentally safe technologies in the conditions of the negative impact of climate change and other stress factors. The methodological approach takes into account the peculiarities of agrarian production based on the use of data of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United States Department of Agriculture, United Nations, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and State Statistics Service of Ukraine. The dynamics of world production and export of maize grain, sown areas, production and yield of maize in Ukraine are demonstrated, which directly focuses attention on the competitiveness of Ukrainian maize on the world grain market. These arguments are confirmed by analytical results, which show that in 2022, among the world leaders of maize grain producers, Ukraine took fifth place, and among exporters - fourth. In order to mitigate the impact of climate change and other stress factors on the effective production and export of Ukrainian maize, adaptation measures are proposed, which consist in the application of modern technologies, which include: optimization of the structure of sown areas and scientifically based crop rotations with the effective use of competitive varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops, the introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers and plant protection products, the use of soil protective tillage, sideration and mulching, irrigation systems, and also the productive use of plant residues with the application of modern biodestructors. Their comprehensive implementation will contribute to the development of maize yield, grain quality, preservation of biodiversity and the solution of the grain-food problem in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper selected Shijin Irrigation District as the study area. Considering the future climate change, the paper studied the effects of climate change on summer maize growth. The effects of climate change on summer maize yield were quantitatively analyzed by combining the climate scenario Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)4.5 and AquaCrop model. The results showed that under the RCP4.5 scenario, the future yield of summer maize in Shijin Irrigation District was mainly reduced, but the yield change showed an upward trend. When the direct impact of CO2 is not considered, the yield change ranged from − 6.72~− 3.04%, and the deforestation rate of summer maize is 10.795 kg for every 1 °C increase in growth period. The increase of summer maize is 3.35 kg for every 1 mm increase in rainfall. When considering the direct impact of CO2, the yield change ranged from − 4.04~+ 0.11%. It can be seen that CO2 can compensate for the production reduction effect caused by rising temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial ecosystems represent a major sink for ozone (O3) and also a critical control of tropospheric O3 budget. However, due to its deleterious effects, plant functioning is affected by the ozone absorbed. It is thus necessary to both predict total ozone deposition to ecosystems and partition the fluxes in stomatal and non-stomatal pathways. The Surfatm-O3 model was developed to predict ozone deposition to agroecosystems from sowing to harvest, taking into account each deposition pathways during bare soil, growth, maturity, and senescence periods. An additional sink was added during senescence: stomatal deposition for yellow leaves, not able to photosynthesise but transpiring. The model was confronted to measurements performed over three maize crops in different regions of France. Modelled and measured fluxes agreed well for one dataset for any phenological stage, with only 3% difference over the whole cropping season. A larger discrepancy was found for the two other sites, 16% and 19% over the entire study period, especially during bare soil, early growth and senescence. This was attributed to site-specific soil resistance to ozone and possible chemical reactions between ozone and volatile organic compounds emitted during late senescence. Considering both night-time and daytime conditions, non-stomatal deposition was the major ozone sink, from 100% during bare soil period to 70-80% on average during maturity. However, considering only daytime conditions, especially under optimal climatic conditions for plant functioning, stomatal flux could represent 75% of total ozone flux. This model could improve estimates of crop yield losses and projections of tropospheric ozone budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to global climate change, droughts are likely to become more frequent and more severe in many regions such as in South Africa. In Limpopo, observed high climate variability and projected future climate change will likely increase future maize production risks. This paper evaluates drought patterns in Limpopo at two representative sites. We studied how drought patterns are projected to change under future climatic conditions as an important step in identifying adaptation measures (e.g., breeding maize ideotypes resilient to future conditions). Thirty-year time horizons were analyzed, considering three emission scenarios and five global climate models. We applied the WOFOST crop model to simulate maize crop growth and yield formation over South Africa's summer season. We considered three different crop emergence dates. Drought indices indicated that mainly in the scenario SSP5-8.5 (2051–2080), Univen and Syferkuil will experience worsened drought conditions (DC) in the future. Maize yield tends to decline and future changes in the emergence date seem to impact yield significantly. A possible alternative is to delay sowing date to November or December to reduce the potential yield losses. The grain filling period tends to decrease in the future, and a decrease in the duration of the growth cycle is very likely. Combinations of changed sowing time with more drought tolerant maize cultivars having a longer post-anthesis phase will likely reduce the potential negative impact of climate change on maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is among the significant forms of abiotic stresses that unfavourably affects maize survival as well as the development from germination to maturity. This paper, therefore, reviewed drought stress effects in maize plants and expatiated on the plausible adoptable mitigation measures to employ in curbing these effects as well. Water shortage prompts drought stress that alters the morphological, physiological and biochemical activities in maize plants. The major drought stress implications on the plant's survival are mostly in the area of altered metabolic functions, including nutrient metabolism, cell membrane integrity, water relationships, plant yield, photosynthetic processes, osmotic adjustment, and the pigment content. Mitigating strategies, such as the breeding of drought-tolerant varieties, genomic applications for drought tolerance enhancement in maize plants, as well as the use of rhizobacteria and endophytic bacteria, can be employed in alleviating drought stress and ensuring optimal maize productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural practices of smallholder farming systems of Latin America can play an important role in reducing their exposure to the risks associated with climate extremes. To date, however, there is no systematic analysis of scientific evidence for the extent to which these practices can provide the multiple benefits needed for smallholders to adapt to climate extremes. In this paper, we searched scientific databases to review scientific evidence of the benefit provided by twenty-six practices in crops commonly farmed by smallholders in the region and highly relevant for their food and nutrition security; namely, coffee, maize and beans. We reviewed scientific documents (n = 304) published in the period 1953–2021 to register evidence of the practices' effects on fifty-five benefits. Our analysis of these documents found measurement records (n = 924) largely based on field experiments (85%). Our results show strong evidence of the multiple benefits that some ecosystem-based practices (e.g., tree-based practices for coffee and no tillage for maize) can provide to support the adaptation to climate extremes of smallholder farming systems and enhance a farm's natural assets (e.g., biodiversity, water, soil). We also found that the majority of research on practices in the region focused more on the socioeconomic dimension (54%) rather than on the capacity of practices to improve the natural assets of a smallholder farmers or reduce the impact of climate extremes. Given these knowledge gaps, we discuss the importance of a renovated investment in research to address existing knowledge gaps. Our concluding suggestions for future research include the need for systematizing existing knowledge from different sources (e.g., peer-reviewed, gray literature, farmers, extension agencies, etc.), and to assess the extent to which these practices can provide multiple benefits for smallholder farming systems by improving their wellbeing, reducing their vulnerability to different hydroclimatic extremes while also contributing to ecosystem services provision at the landscape level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Genetika (0534-0012) is the property of Serbian Genetics Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article presents the results of research on the possibilities of fragmentation of cultural, and especially agricultural, landscapes in a selected locality in eastern Slovakia, which is currently characterized by a high proportion of large-scale soil units used for growing cereals and crops subsequently used as energy sources (maize and oilseed rape, among others). Slovakia, as the country with the largest average field area in the European Union (EU), is facing a process of fragmentation of these units to counter climate change and increase the resilience of the landscape to erosion, soil fertility, and biodiversity loss. This paper presents a fragmentation method based on the restoration of former dividing lines, mainly formed by dirt roads, based on the historical mapping. The results show that in this way it is possible to achieve denser landscape fragmentation, to create dividing green belts, to increase the resilience of the environment to water and wind erosion, and to create an environment for pollinator resources and a background for plants and animals in the landscape, while respecting the ergometric routing of the dividing lines and the ownership relations of the land. Last but not least, benefits have been quantified in the form of carbon capture, as well as in the construction of a network of recreational or hiking trails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize crop (Zea mays) is one of the staple foods in the East African (EA) region. However, the suitability of its production area is threatened by projected climate change. The Multimodel Ensemble (MME) from eight Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models was used in this paper to show climate change between the recent past (1970–2000) and the future (2041–2060), i.e., the mid-twenty-first century. The climatic suitability of maize crop production areas is evaluated based on these climate datasets and the current maize crop presence points using Maximum entropy models (MaxEnt). The MME projection showed a slight increase in precipitation under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 in certain places and a reduction in most of southern Tanzania. The temperature projection showed that the minimum temperature would increase by 0.3 to 2.95 °C and 0.3 to 3.2 °C under RCP4.5 and 8.5, respectively. Moreover, the maximum temperature would increase by 1.0 to 3.0 °C and 1.2 to 3.6 °C under RCP4.5 and 8.5 respectively. The impacts of these projected changes in climate on maize production areas are the reduction in the suitability of the crop, especially around central and western Tanzania, mid-northern and western Uganda, and parts of western Kenya by 20–40%, and patches of EA will experience a reduction of as high as 40–60%, especially in northern Uganda, and western Kenya. The projected changes in temperature and precipitation present a significant negative change in maize crop suitability. Thus, food security and the efforts towards the elimination of hunger in EA by the mid-twenty-first century will be hampered significantly. We recommend crop diversification to suit the new future environments, modernizing maize farming programs through the adoption of new technologies including irrigation, and climate-smart agricultural practices, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographical area between the Danube and the Black Sea, Dobrogea, represents a region with the highest aridity indices. The average precipitation in the period 1961-2016 was 464 mm. Climate changes in recent years have accentuated this phenomenon and, due to this, low production levels of 1-2 tons/ha were achieved on large areas of corn. In the year 2022/2023, over 40,000 ha cultivated with corn in Constanta county were deeply affected by the lack of rainfalls, high temperatures and long and severe drought. In these particularly dry conditions, sorghum becomes an essential alternative. This study aimed to continue the experiments with sorghum hybrids which have been carried out during the last 15 years at SPORT AGRA Ltd from Amzacea Village, Constanta County, in order to adapt the technologies to climate changes. The novelty of this research is that the adapted technologies include, among other things, the following elements: changing the planting period by approximately 25-30 days compared to the recommendations of classical technologies (planting starting from the first decade of May in order to use the moisture in the soil layer at the depth of seed incorporation 4-5 cm.), the use of early hybrids in order to overcome the periods of heat that in this area start from mid-June, the use of technological means of crop protection that include pre- and post-emergent herbicides, seed treatment prior to planting. In these conditions of development of non-irrigated sorghum technology, we propose planting this crop earlier (25-30 days compared to classic technology). In this way, the sorghum will benefit from the water reserve accumulated during the fall of the previous year. The productions of the sorghum hybrids used in the observation research fields were over 10 to/ha in most of the tested hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of climate change scenarios, it is important to evaluate the possibility of an increase in the incidence of corn crop diseases and to promote studies aimed at creating mitigation measures. This paper aims to study the impacts that regional climate changes may have on the potential occurrence of corn common rust (Puccinia sorghi), in the region of Castro, Paraná (Brazil). The Eta climate model was driven by the global model CanESM2. We use the Historical simulation of the EtaCanESM2 model from 1981 to 2005, and future projections from 2046 to 2070 to simulate the occurrence of common rust. The criteria was adopted to simulate the common rust disease favored in environments with the minimum temperature lower than 8 °C, the maximum temperature higher than 32 °C, average temperature between 16 and 23 °C, and relative humidity higher than 95%. In Brazil, there are two different seasons for corn crop (Normaland Safrinha). Results show that relative humidity and minimum temperature simulated by the model presented good skills, approaching the observed data. Compared to the Historical simulation, the projections show a tendency to increase of maximum and minimum temperature in the future, and a tendency to decrease relative humidity. There is an increase in the number of days with the potential for the occurrence of the disease. The distribution of days with favorable conditions to rust disease tends to change in the future. In the Normaland Safrinhaseasons, there is a tendency to increase the number of days with favorable conditions to common rust occurrence. The influence of planting time is greater in Historical simulation when compared to future scenarios. The Safrinhaseason may present more days with the potential for the occurrence of common rust in the future than the Normalseason. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Serbica is the property of University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Agronomy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents estimates of the effects of changing climate on crop yields for grain corn and soybeans in Ontario, Canada, for 1959–2013. We were able to use a database that is more comprehensive with respect to explanatory variables than some previous efforts had available. Our model includes climate variables, prices, land quality, groundwater level, CO2 concentration, and a time trend. Our results indicate that trends in temperature and precipitation during our study period have not yet resulted in appreciable threats to crop yields in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of climate change on the soil-water regime of the Záhorská lowlands. The consequences of climate change on soil-water storage were analyzed for two crops: spring barley and maize. We analyzed the consequences of climate change on soil-water storage for two crops: spring barley and maize. The soil-water storage was simulated with the GLOBAL mathematical model. The data entered into the model as upper boundary conditions were established by the SRES A2 and SRES B1 climate scenarios and the KNMI regional climate model for the years from 2071 to 2100 (in the text called the time horizon 2085 which is in the middle this period). For the reference period the data from the years 1961-1990 was used. The results of this paper predict soil-water storage until the end of this century for the crops evaluated, as well as a comparison of the soil-water storage predictions with the course of the soil-water storage during the reference period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme weather events have led to widespread yield losses and significant global economic damage in recent decades. African agriculture is particularly vulnerable due to its harsh environments and limited adaptation capacity. This systematic review analyzes 96 articles from Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, focusing on biophysical studies related to maize in Africa and worldwide. We investigated the observed and projected extreme weather events in Africa, their impacts on maize production, and the approaches used to assess these effects. Our analysis reveals that drought, heatwaves, and floods are major threats to African maize production, impacting yields, suitable cultivation areas, and farmers' livelihoods. While studies have employed various methods, including field experiments, statistical models, and process-based modeling, African research is often limited by data gaps and technological constraints. We identify three main gaps: (i) lack of reliable long-term experimental and empirical data, (ii) limited access to advanced climate change adaptation technologies, and (iii) insufficient knowledge about specific extreme weather patterns and their interactions with management regimes. This review highlights the urgent need for targeted research in Africa to improve understanding of extreme weather impacts and formulate effective adaptation strategies. We advocate for focused research on data collection, technology transfer, and integration of local knowledge with new technologies to bolster maize resilience and food security in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of agricultural water requirements under future climate projections has received increasing attention in recent decades. The agriculture pattern of the semi-arid North China Plain is a maize–wheat rotation system in which sufficient irrigation is required to maintain production. In this study, the effects of future climate scenarios on the net irrigation requirement of the maize–wheat rotation system were assessed using the Food and Agriculture Organization crop growth model—AquaCrop. First, the baseline net irrigation requirement over the study region was obtained through AquaCrop simulation under ERA5-Land reanalysis from 2011 to 2020. In addition, the AquaCrop model was used to predict irrigation requirements in future scenarios (2021–2050) under the extreme-emission scenario of the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway SSP 5-8.5 (SSP 5-8.5). Finally, the predicted irrigation amount for maize and wheat during the period 2021–2050 under SSP 5-8.5 was compared with the baseline to assess the interannual change in irrigation water requirement. Results reveal significant agreement between the AquaCrop-derived daily soil moisture (SM) and a reference SM product with unbiased root mean square differences of 0.03 m3/m3 and 0.04 m3/m3 over maize and wheat, respectively. Furthermore, the median net irrigation requirement is expected to increase by approximately 107 mm (21%) to guarantee optimum yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural sector is seriously impacted by climate change, leading to potential risks to food security. In terms of global food production, maize ranks third. As a result, crop production and food security depend critically on assessing the effects of climate change and developing measures to adapt maize. Regarding adaptability, changing planting dates and using different agrochemicals are more effective than other management. Crop models are part of a global decision support system to help farmers maximize yields despite unpredictable weather patterns. To mitigate yield loss and protect the ecosystem, it is essential to use efficient maize-sowing practices in the field. This experiment was carried out to identify the most favorable sowing dates that maximize yield while ensuring the crop's productivity and the integrity of the surrounding ecosystem remain intact. The main aim of this experiment was to mitigate the different climatic conditions by exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on pigments and sugar content in maize under different sowing dates. A field experiment was carried out in the School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India, during the spring season of 2022. The experiment dealt with various maize crops, PMH-10, sourced from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Punjab. The experiment was conducted in an open-air environment. The experimental setup was laid out in a split-plot design. The results stated that foliar application of salicylic acid and sodium nitroprusside successfully influenced high-temperature tolerance and low temperature at the reproductive phase and initial vegetative stages with other growing climatic conditions of maize in early and late sowings when controlled by increasing the chlorophyll index, carotenoids content, and sugar content of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines the 15-year presence of mycotoxins in food from Serbia and Croatia to provide a comprehensive overview of trends. Encompassing the timeframe from 2009 to 2023, this study integrates data from both countries and investigates climate change patterns. The results from Serbia focus primarily on maize and milk and show a strong dependence of contamination on weather conditions. However, there is limited data on mycotoxins in cereals other than maize, as well as in other food categories. Conversely, Croatia has a broader spectrum of studies, with significant attention given to milk and maize, along with more research on other cereals, meat, and meat products compared to Serbia. Over the investigated 15-year period, both Serbia and Croatia have experienced notable shifts in climate, including fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, and humidity levels. These changes have significantly influenced agriculture, consequently affecting the occurrence of mycotoxins in various food products. The results summarized in this 15-year review indicate the urgent need for further research and action to address mycotoxins contamination in Serbian and Croatian food supply chains. This urgency is further emphasized by the changing climatic conditions and their potential to exacerbate public health and food safety risks associated with mycotoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production across the African continent is subjected to various effects of climate variability. One of the main staple foods in Sub-Saharan Africa is maize. However, limited scientific research has recently focused on understanding the possible effects of hydro-climatic variability on maize production. The aim of the present work was to contribute to policy and climate adaptation, thus reducing the vulnerability of maize production to climate change over Equatorial Africa. This study firstly examined long-term trends of precipitation (PRE), soil moisture (SM), actual evapotranspiration (E), and potential evapotranspiration (Ep), as well as surface air temperatures, including the minimum (TMIN) and maximum (TMAX). Secondly, the relationship between maize production and these climate variables was quantified for 18 Equatorial African countries (EQCs) over 1980−2021. To assess the linear trends, Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope tests were used to quantify the magnitude of the hydro-climatic variable trends at the 5% significance level, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relation of these climate parameters with the maize production. The annual mean PRE declined at 0.03 mm day−110a−1. Other climate variables increased at different rates: SM at 0.02 mmday−110a−1, E at 0.03 mm day−110a−1, Ep at 0.02 mm day−1 10a−1, TMIN and TMAX at 0.01 °C day−110a−1. A regional analysis revealed heterogeneous significant wet–dry and warm–cool trends over the EQCs. While, spatially, dry and warm climates were observed in the central to eastern areas, wet and warm conditions dominated the western regions. Generally, the correlations of maize production with the E, Ep, TMAX, and TMIN were strong (r > 0.7) and positive, while moderate (r > 0.45) correlations of maize production with PRE and SM were obvious. These country-wide analyses highlight the significance of climate change policies and offer a scientific basis for designing tailored adaptation strategies in rainfed agricultural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the drivers behind price changes in agricultural products in Türkiye from 2002 to 2021, considering the impacts of three crises of different causes which are the global food crisis, the Russia–Türkiye aircraft crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential factors are categorized into four subgroups: governmental effects, agricultural inputs, macroeconomic indicators, and climatic conditions. The selected agricultural goods for price change measurement include wheat and maize representing subsistence goods, and olive oil and cotton as marketing goods. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is applied to observe both the short- and long-term impacts of the variables on price developments. The results suggest that government effectiveness, regulatory quality, nitrogen use, water price, money supply, exchange rate, and GDP under the related categories are the most effective factors in price changes. Among the variables under the category of climatic conditions, significant values are obtained only in the analysis of the temperature impact on olive oil. The analysis also reveals the variable impact of crises on the prices of the chosen products, depending on the goods involved. The maize and wheat analyses yield particularly noteworthy results. In the long run, nitrogen use demonstrates a substantial positive impact, registering at 29% for wheat and 19.47% for maize, respectively. Conversely, GDP exhibits a significant negative impact, with 26.15% and 20.08%. Short-term observations reveal that a unit increase in the governmental effect leads to a reduction in inflation for these products by 17.01% and 21.42%. However, changes in regulatory quality result in an increase in inflation by 25.45% and 20.77% for these products, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional biogeographical models are considered to be important tools for supporting decisions relating to sustainable agricultural planning for climate change. These models are useful for a better understanding of the impact of climate change on individual crop species due to their sensitivity to regional ecological conditions. This paper deals with the application of a regional biogeographical model in order to predict the impact of climate change on growing conditions for grain maize in Central Europe. The model is based on a detailed knowledge of the relationships between the climatic characteristics of vegetation zones in landscapes with ecological growing conditions suitable for grain maize in the region under study. The results gained from using the model indicate a substantial increase in the total area suitable for growing of grain maize in the study region. By 2070, this area is expected to be triple the size it is today. Special maps are used to visualize prediction scenarios in order to support decision-making in regional planning in the study region, where grain maize is an important agricultural crop. This biogeographical model can be used in other European regions, where basic data related to vegetation zones are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in land-use practices have been a central element of human adaptation to Holocene climate change. Many practices that result in the short-term stabilization of socio-natural systems, however, have longer-term, unanticipated consequences that present cascading challenges for human subsistence strategies and opportunities for subsequent adaptations. Investigating complex sequences of interaction between climate change and human land-use in the past—rather than short-term causes and effects—is therefore essential for understanding processes of adaptation and change, but this approach has been stymied by a lack of suitably-scaled paleoecological data. Through a high-resolution paleoecological analysis, we provide a 7000-year history of changing climate and land management around Lake Acopia in the Andes of southern Peru. We identify evidence of the onset of pastoralism, maize cultivation, and possibly cultivation of quinoa and potatoes to form a complex agrarian landscape by c. 4300 years ago. Cumulative interactive climate-cultivation effects resulting in erosion ended abruptly c. 2300 years ago. After this time, reduced sedimentation rates are attributed to the construction and use of agricultural terraces within the catchment of the lake. These results provide new insights into the role of humans in the manufacture of Andean landscapes and the incremental, adaptive processes through which land-use practices take shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: High salinity poses a threat to crop growth and yield. Increasing evidence suggests that environmentally friendly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) can mitigate the negative impacts of salt stress by modulating various molecular, biochemical, and physiological processes. In the present study, Microbacterium azadirachtae strain CNUC13 was isolated from maize rhizosphere soil. This strain tolerated up to 1000 mM NaCl and 30% PEG 6000 and showed growth-promoting traits like phosphate solubilization and siderophore and indole-acetic acid (IAA) production. The impacts of M. azadirachtae strain CNUC13 on maize (Zea mays L.) germination, growth, and development with salinity were further examined. The results showed that seed priming with M. azadirachtae CNUC13 strain could protect maize from salt stress by modulating plant growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidant enzyme activities. This is the first study of M. azadirachtae on plant growth enhancement and salt stress tolerance in vivo, and the results indicated the vital contribution of M. azadirachtae CNUC13 in alleviating the adverse effects of salinity on maize seedlings. Soil salinization is one of the leading threats to global ecosystems, food security, and crop production. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) are potential bioinoculants that offer an alternative eco-friendly agricultural approach to enhance crop productivity from salt-deteriorating lands. The current work presents bacterial strain CNUC13 from maize rhizosphere soil that exerted several PGPR traits and abiotic stress tolerance. The strain tolerated up to 1000 mM NaCl and 30% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and showed plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore as well as phosphate solubilization. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain CNUC13 was Microbacterium azadirachtae. Maize plants exposed to high salinity exhibited osmotic and oxidative stresses, inhibition of seed germination, plant growth, and reduction in photosynthetic pigments. However, maize seedlings inoculated with strain CNUC13 resulted in significantly improved germination rates and seedling growth under the salt-stressed condition. Specifically, compared with the untreated control group, CNUC13-treated seedlings exhibited increased biomass, including fresh weight and root system proliferation. CNUC13 treatment also enhanced photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), reduced the accumulation of osmotic (proline) and oxidative (hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde) stress indicators, and positively influenced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase). As a result, CNUC13 treatment alleviated oxidative stress and promoted salt tolerance in maize. Overall, this study demonstrates that M. azadirachtae CNUC13 significantly enhances the growth of salt-stressed maize seedlings by improving photosynthetic efficiency, osmotic regulators, oxidative stress resilience, and antioxidant enzyme activity. These findings emphasize the potential of utilizing M. azadirachtae CNUC13 as a bioinoculant to enhance salt stress tolerance in maize, providing an environmentally friendly approach to mitigate the negative effects of salinity and promote sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed smallholder maize farmers' perceptions of climate change vulnerability and adaptation strategies in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study used a cross-sectional quantitative approach, with smallholder farmers selected based on farm size (less than 10 hectares). Using simple random sampling techniques, 210 smallholder farmers in South Kivu Province was selected from October and November 2021. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-tests, Tobit regression model and structural equations modeling, which demonstrated that demographic and socioeconomic factors influenced smallholder farmers' perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change. The findings revealed that the level of education, size of the field, and activities of smallholder farmers had significant effects on climate change perception and adaptation strategies. Smallholder farmers' perceptions had a negative (p < 1%) influence on maize smallholder farmers' adaptation to climate change. Common efforts should be made to encourage smallholder farmers to feel committed enough to implement climate change adaptation measures that are effective in mitigating or preventing climate change risk. The results of this study would have implications for policies to support maize smallholder farmers in their efforts to mitigate and resilient to climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. Firstly, the promotion of climate literacy must be sufficient to provide farmers with information on climate and forecasting. Secondly, to empower smallholder farmers with means and resources to prevent and reduce the effects of climate change. Lastly, enhancing the current environment for the agriculture sector will advance community inclusivity and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agro-climatic indicators (AgcIs) provide a suitable tool to evaluate the implications of climate change on agriculture by simplifying plant–climate interactions. However, developing reliable AgcIs requires high-quality historical climate datasets. Consequently, reanalysis products (RPs) are frequently used as a potential reference dataset for observed climate in agricultural studies. This study aims to compare five RPs (ERA5, ERA5-Land, SCOPE Climate, FYRE Climate, and RFHR) at reproducing observed AgcIs over France. The RPs are evaluated against the SYNOP meteorological data over the 1996–2012 period, focusing on six AgcIs specific to apple, maize, and vine crops. The findings show that RPs perform well in reproducing temperature-based AgcIs, with some slight discrepancies in areas with complex topography. However, all RPs tend to overestimate precipitation amounts and to underestimate dry days, leading to a poor performance in reproducing precipitation-based AgcIs. This study emphasizes the need for a thorough evaluation of the RPs in developing both temperature-based and precipitation-based AgcIs, especially if findings are intended to support operational agricultural decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is aimed at evaluating the factors affecting the concurrent adoption of two risk coping strategies among hybrid maize farmers, namely income diversification supplemented with off-farm work and contract farming in the wake of changing climatic conditions. Climatic changes and food insecurity at the national level have emerged as key risk elements for hybrid maize production due to varying economic conditions. The present paper addresses these risks by examining various sources of risks faced by hybrid maize farmers and develops ideas to tackle these risks. Bivariate and multinomial probit models were employed to analyze numerous factors that influence farmers' choice of the simultaneous adoption of income diversification (both on and off the farm) and contract farming at the farm level. The results reveal that hybrid maize farmers' socioeconomic attributes significantly affect their adoption of risk coping tools. Similarly, the climatic, economic (price-related), biological, and financial risk perceptions and risk preference significantly influence the utilization of risk coping strategies in maize production. These outcomes extend our understanding of farmers' risk preferences and provide parameters for policymakers to forestall diverse risk sources associated with hybrid maize production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing annual row crops on marginally productive croplands can be environmentally unsustainable and result in variable economic returns. Incorporating perennial bioenergy feedstocks into marginally productive cropland can engender ecosystem services and enhance climate resiliency while also diversifying farm incomes. We use one of the oldest bioenergy-specific field experiments in North America to evaluate economically and environmentally sustainable management practices for growing perennial grasses on marginal cropland. This long-term field trial called 9804 was established in 1998 in eastern Nebraska and compared the productivity and sustainability of corn (Zea mays L.) --both corn grain and corn stover--and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) bioenergy systems under different harvest strategies and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates. This experiment demonstrated that switchgrass, compared to corn, is a reliable and sustainable bioenergy feedstock. This experiment has been a catalyst for other bioenergy projects which have also expanded our understanding of growing and managing bioenergy feedstocks on marginal cropland. We (1) synthesize research from this long-term experiment and (2) provide perspective concerning both the knowledge gained from this experiment and knowledge gaps and how to fill them as well as the role switchgrass will play in the future of bioenergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synchronicity of rain and heat in the summer of China's monsoon region provides sufficient water and heat resources for maize growth. However, the intra-annual distribution of precipitation and the probability of extreme precipitation have been inevitably altered by the ongoing climate change, thus affecting the matching degree between precipitation and crop water requirements (MDPCWR). Evaluating the extent to which the MDPCWR will change in the future is of great importance for food security and the sustainable management of water resources. In this study, considering that different growth stages of crops have different sensitivities to water stress, the AquaCrop model was used to calculate the MDPCWR more accurately. In addition, a cumulative distribution function-transform (CDF-t) method was used to remove the bias of 11 global climate models (GCMs) under two typical emission scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) from phase six of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). A comprehensive investigation was conducted on how maize growth, water consumption, and the MDPCWR will respond to future climate change with CO2 concentration enrichment in the Huang–Huai–Hai (3H) region in China by driving a well-tested AquaCrop model with the bias-corrected GCMs outputs. The results indicate the following: (1) The CDF-t method can effectively remove seasonal bias, and it also performs well in eliminating the bias of extreme climate events. (2) Under the SSP2-4.5 scenario, the average maximum temperature will increase by 1.31 °C and 2.44 °C in 2021–2050 and 2051–2080, respectively. The average annual precipitation will increase up to 96.8 mm/year, but it will mainly occur in the form of heavy rain. (3) The increased maize evapotranspiration rate does not compensate for the decreased crop water requirement (up to −32 mm/year), due to a shorter growth cycle. (4) The farmland cultivation layer is not able to hold a significant amount of precipitation, due to the increased frequency of heavy rains, resulting in increased irrigation water requirements for maize over the next two periods, with the maximum value of 12 mm/year. (5) Under different scenarios, the projected future MDPCWR will decrease by 9.3–11.6% due to changes in precipitation patterns and crop water requirements, indicating that it will be more difficult for precipitation to meet the water demand of maize growing in the 3H region. The results can provide comprehensive information to understand the impact of climate change on the agricultural water balance and improve the regional strategy for water resource utilization in the 3H region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is a serious threat to food and energy security. Crop growth modelling is an important tool for simulating crop food production and assisting in decision making. Planting date is one of the important model parameters. Larger-scale spatial distribution with high accuracy for planting dates is essential for the widespread application of crop growth models. In this study, a planting date prediction method based on environmental similarity was developed in accordance with the third law of geography. Spring maize planting date observations from 124 agricultural meteorological experiment stations in China over the years 1992–2010 were used as the data source. Samples spanning from 1992 to 2009 were allocated as training data, while samples from 2010 constituted the independent validation set. The results indicated that the root mean square error (RMSE) for spring maize planting date based on environmental similarity was 10 days, which is better than that of multiple regression analysis (RMSE = 13 days) in 2010. Additionally, when applied at varying scales, the accuracy of national-scale prediction was better than that of regional-scale prediction in areas with large differences in planting dates. Consequently, the method based on environmental similarity can effectively and accurately estimate planting date parameters at multiple scales and provide reasonable parameter support for large-scale crop growth modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the critical issue of climate change and its impact on maize cultivation, focusing on irrigation water requirements (IWR) and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) values over three distinct time periods: 1971–2000 (RF), 2025–2054 (P1), and 2069–2098 (P2), under the climate scenarios of RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 in the AR5 of the IPCC via the CROPWAT model. The research reveals significant increases in mean temperatures, particularly during summers, in both scenarios, signifying the substantial influence of climate change on the Cukurova Region's climate. Daily average evapotranspiration (ETo) values for the study periods demonstrate noteworthy increases, with the most pronounced rise observed in July for P2 under RCP8.5, emphasizing the seasonality and magnitude of the change. Moreover, the study underscores a consistent escalation in irrigation water requirements from RF to P2 periods for both scenarios, highlighting the pressing need for water resource management strategies in agriculture. Under RCP4.5, the study found that average simulated ETc increased by 9.2% for P1 and 11.7% for P2 compared to the RF period. In the harsher RCP8.5 scenario, ETc values displayed a substantial 20.0% increase for P2 and exhibited a wide range of variation across the study periods. In the light of these escalating climate change impacts, this study underscores the imperative of understanding and addressing the challenges encountered in maize cultivation. The findings emphasize the consistent rise in temperature and irrigation demands, underscoring the necessity for proactive adaptive strategies to ensure the sustainability of agricultural practices and long-term food security. As climate change continues to exert its influence, this research serves as a call to action for policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and researchers to prioritize adaptation efforts to safeguard the future of maize production and the global food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving grain supply security with limited arable land is a major challenge in the twenty- first century, owing to the changing climate and increasing global population. Maize plays an increasingly vital role in global grain production. As a C4 plant, maize has a high yield potential. Maize is predicted to become the number one cereal in the world by 2020. However, maize production has plateaued in many countries, and hybrid and production technologies have been fully exploited. Thus, there is an urgent need to shape maize traits and architectures for increased stress tolerance and higher yield in a changing climate. Recent achievements in genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have provided an unprecedented opportunity to make better maize. In this paper, we discuss the current challenges and potential of maize production, particularly in China. We also highlight the need for enhancing maize tolerance to drought and heat waves, summarize the elite shoot and root traits and phenotypes, and propose an ideotype for sustainable maize production in a changing climate. This will facilitate targeted maize improvement through a conventional breeding program combined with molecular techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is the main meteorological disaster that affects the yield and quality of spring maize on the Loess Plateau. This study used data of the spring maize growth period, relative soil humidity, and yield at 18 agricultural meteorological observation stations on the Loess Plateau from 1997 to 2013 to determine the drought category based on the yield reduction rate. Through the drought index according to the conformity rate of category standard and individual case verification, a refined suitability drought index of spring maize on the Loess Plateau was constructed, and the spatial distribution characteristics of drought in different growth stages of spring maize were analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) The number of days in the whole growth period of spring maize in all regions of the Loess Plateau has been extended. The average sowing date of spring maize in the northwest region of the Loess Plateau was 9 April, and that in the east and central regions was 26 April. In terms of spatial distribution, each growth period was gradually delayed from west to east. (2) The correlation between relative soil humidity and yield of spring maize at the jointing stage and heading stage was the best, followed by the milky stage and mature stage, and the relative soil humidity at the sowing stage and emergence stage had little effect on the yield. (3) According to the national drought category standard "Drought Category of Spring Maize in the North", based on the data of yield reduction rate, the drought index of spring maize on the Loess Plateau was refined by region and growth stage. The drought category index values of spring maize in different growth stages and regions changed according to the revised drought category standard, with 71.4% of the sites in the sowing seedling stage and 85.7% of the sites in the seedling jointing stage, and the revised drought category was more severe than the national drought category standard, while at 57.1% of the sites in the jointing and tasseling stages and 71.4% in the tasseling and milking stages, the revised drought category was less severe than the national drought category standard. (4) Based on the revised refined drought index for spring maize on the Loess Plateau, the spatial distribution of drought occurrence frequency across different growth stages of spring maize on the Loess Plateau was analyzed. The frequency of drought occurrence during the seeding and emergence stages was 25–75%. With the change in growth stages, the high-value area of drought occurrence frequency gradually moved northward, and the overall frequency of drought occurrence decreased. For the milky mature stage, the frequency of drought occurrence in a few regions was around 42%, and the drought frequency in most regions was between 8% and 33%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Opinion highlights several successful cases of biofuel technologies recently described by the IEA Bioenergy Intertask Report on Lessons Learned. The report discussed the potential of biofuels to contribute to a significant market supply, thus replacing fossil fuels and mitigating global warming, and it underscores the challenges in expanding biofuel production and replicating successful models between countries and regions. Based on the lessons learned from conventional, established technologies, the authors analyzed policies, feedstocks, products, technologies, economics, environmental concerns, social aspects, scalability, and ease of implementation and replication in different countries or regions. There are blending mandates in place around the world to foster the use of biofuels. Dependence on the availability and price fluctuations of crop feedstocks may limit biofuel production in certain circumstances. Legal restrictions on using food crops as feedstocks present obstacles to scaling up production. Temporary constraints related to feedstock costs and availability, as evidenced by changes and postponements of biofuel blending mandates in various countries (particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic) also pose challenges. Technological hurdles exist for advanced biofuels that implicate premium pricing. Still, 2G ethanol from sugarcane meets very strict feedstock requirements with a carbon footprint so low that only electric vehicles charged in Norway could have life‐cycle GHG emissions at the same level as a 2G ethanol‐fueled combustion engine car. The authors evaluate whether and how much electrification could contribute to advance the decarbonization efforts in different countries. Drawing from these observations, the authors express their viewpoints to assist researchers and policymakers in the energy sector in formulating viable approaches to combat the climate crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate is changing in Europe: average temperatures are increasing, and so is the frequency of extreme weather events. Climate change has a severe impact on areas suitable for growing certain crops and on food safety, for example, affecting the occurrence of the aflatoxin contamination of maize. The aim of this study was to obtain insights into the impact of climate change on possible changes in land use in Europe, particularly in areas suitable for maize cultivation, and on the probability of the mycotoxin contamination of maize in order to give directions for long-term adaptation to climate change. By combining a land use model and a mycotoxin prediction model, the suitability of land for maize cultivation and the probability of aflatoxin contamination were estimated for suitable areas in Europe, comparing the current climate with the 2050 scenario. In 2050, the occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in Europe is predicted to severely increase, especially in Central and Southern Europe. More northern regions, presently unsuitable for maize cultivation, will become suitable for maize cultivation in 2050. In the baseline scenario, most regions suitable for maize cultivation have a low probability of aflatoxin contamination, whereas in 2050, about half of the regions suitable for maize cultivation have a medium to high probability of aflatoxin contamination. Regions for safely growing maize for human consumption will shift from the southern to the northern half of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suitable sowing dates are crucial in plant production to cope with climate change and ensure high-quality crop production. We hypothesize that the analysis of the effect of sowing date and climatic resources on maize kernel nutritional quality (KNQ) (crude fiber, starch, crude fat, and crude protein) might contribute to selecting appropriate sowing dates according to different production requirements and meteorological conditions. The study was based on five main local varieties in three experimental stations (early-maturing variety: Zengyu1317, Hongshuo298, Keyu15; medium-maturing variety: Xianyu335; late-maturing variety: Danyu405) in Northeast China from 2018 to 2021. The results showed that: (1) the average starch content (67.7%) and crude protein content (9.1%) of early-maturing variety maize and the crude fiber content (3.3%) and crude fat content (3.6%) of late-maturing variety maize were the highest in Northeast China; (2) the sowing date had no significant effect on the starch content, but significantly affected the crude protein and crude fiber contents, the kernel protein content of early-maturing variety maize was the highest when the sowing date was delayed for 5 days (9.8%), and the crude fiber content of medium-maturing and late-maturing variety maize (4.3% and 5.39%, respectively) was the highest when the sowing date was advanced by 10 days; (3) during the reproductive growth stage, the more light and heat resources, the less starch content and crude protein content and the more crude fat content; when the diurnal temperature range increased by 1 °C, the crude fat content decreased by 0.28%, and the crude protein content increased by 0.77%; for every 100 mm more precipitation, crude fiber and crude protein content decreased by 0.68% and 0.73%, respectively, and fat content increased by 0.15%. Our results provide a meaningful reference for maize production to cope with climate change and improve kernel quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Global warming and irregular changes in temperature are a serious threat to plant growth with a significant negative impact on yield. Global maize productivity has decreased significantly due to sudden temperature fluctuations and heat waves especially in the regions severely hit by climate change. Results: The current study demonstrates the potential of beneficial bacteria for inducing heat tolerance in maize during early growth. Three Bacillus spp. AH-08, AH-67, SH-16, and one Pseudomonas spp. SH-29 showed the ability to grow and exhibited multiple plant-beneficial traits up to 45 ± 2 °C. At temperatures of 45 and 50 °C, Bacillus sp. SH-16 exhibited upregulation of two small heat shock proteins (HSP) of 15 and 30 kDa, while SH-16 and AH-67 showed upregulation of two large HSP of 65 and 100 kDa. Plant-inoculation with the consortium B3P (3 Bacillus + 1 Pseudomonas spp.) was carried out on six hybrid maize varieties pre-grown at 25 ± 2 ºC. Heat shock was applied to 10-day-old seedlings as: 3 h at 38ºC, 48 h recovery period, and then 48 h at 42ºC. The B3P treatment showed significant improvement in the overall plant growth (plant height, root & shoot fresh & dry weight, root and leaf area) with a higher level of CAT, POD, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids, while low concentration of MDA. A non-significant difference was observed in case of total cell protein and amino acids after B3P-treatment under stress. The expression of HSP1 and HSP18 in Malka and YH-5427 while HSP70 and HSP101 were higher in FH-1046 and Gohar as compared to non-inoculated treatment. Conclusions: These findings indicate that heat-tolerant plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (Ht-PGPR) exert versatile, multiphasic and differential response to improve plant growth and heat-tolerance in different maize varieties during seedling/ early vegetative growth. Subsequent research will be focused on the field evaluation of these PGPR to see the field and yield response of this consortium under natural temperature fluctuations in field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-occurring extreme heat, drought, and moisture events are increasing under global warming and pose serious threats to ecosystem and food security. However, how to effectively link compound agrometeorological disasters (CADs) with climate change has not been well assessed. In this study, we focus on the comprehensive influence of large-scale climate factors on CADs rather than extreme meteorological elements. The results indicate that there are two main CADs of spring maize in Shenyang, Northeast China (NEC), including concurrent drought and cold damage (DC) and drought in multiple growth periods (MD). The related circulation anomalies at mid–high latitudes are identified as four patterns, namely, the Northeast Asia Low (NEAL) and Ural High (UH) patterns affecting DC, the Baikal High and Okhotsk Low (BHOL), and the Northeast Asia High (NEAH) patterns leading to MD. The vertical profile and water vapor transport anomalies further demonstrate the influence mechanism of large-scale circulation on compound heat–moisture stresses. This study highlights the role of atmospheric circulation, which can provide effective predictors for these synergistic agrometeorological disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assessed responses of adaptation options to possible climate change scenarios on maize growth and yield by using projections of 20 coupled ensemble climate models under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 by means of a DSSAT model. Growth and yield simulations were made across present and future climate conditions using the hybrid maize variety (Shone). Subsequently, simulated yields were compared with farmer' average and on-farm trial yields. Results showed that on-farm trial yield (5.1–7.3 t ha−1) lay in between farmers' average yield (2.9–5 t ha−1) and water-limited potential yield (6.3–10.6 t ha−1). Maize yields achieved in farmers' fields are projected to decline towards mid-century and further towards the end of the century regardless of the adaptation options compared with baseline in low potential clusters. Results of a combination of adaptation options including February planting, use of 64 kg ha−1 N and conservation tillage provided yield advantage of 5.8% over the 30 cm till under medium GHGs emission scenario during mid-century period at Shamana. Mulching with 5 t ha−1 was projected to produce a 4–5% yield advantage in the Hawassa cluster during the mid-century period regardless of changes in tillage or planting window. Under a high GHGs emission scenario, over 13.4% yield advantage was projected in the Bilate cluster due to conservation tillage and June planting during the mid-century period. In the Dilla cluster, the use of 10 t ha−1 mulch, conservation tillage and early planting (February) would result in a 1.8% yield advantage compared with the control either in medium or high GHGs emission scenarios. Thus, the most promising and least risky practices among simulated strategies were the use of nitrogen and mulching in combination with tillage or planting date adjustment. However, adaptation options remained least promising and highly risky if not integrated with mulching or nitrogen use. Hence, the negative impacts of future climate change and subsequent yield gaps would be reduced by optimizing the application of nitrogen, mulch and their interaction with planting date and tillage in high and low potential areas of maize production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is a crop of significant economic importance. In the northeast region of Brazil, it serves as the foundation of family support for the majority of farmers. However, achieving high levels of productivity requires an adequate water supply throughout its growth cycle. The northeast semi-arid region experiences low rainfall and high potential evapotranspiration, directly affecting maize development and leading to severe declines in productivity. In this study, genetic selection and proteomic analysis are proposed as a strategy to identify the tolerance of maize cultivars against water stress. The experiments were conducted under two water regimes using randomized block designs with three replicates. Development and productivity traits were evaluated, and genetic parameters were estimated using mixed linear models. Selection for water stress tolerance was based on the harmonic mean of the relative performance of genotypic values. Total protein extraction from maize leaves followed the protocol established by the phenol method, and peptides were analyzed through mass spectrometry. The AG8677P cultivar demonstrated remarkable productivity under drought stress conditions, and proteins related to various fundamentally important biological processes for the tolerance mechanism were identified. The combination of genetic selection with proteomic analysis proves to be an efficient strategy, even in the face of limited resources and a small number of treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable management of agricultural resources is needed to meet people's increasing demands for food, fiber and energy while maintaining the quality of the environment and protecting natural resources. With the rapid growth of agriculture and the mechanization of farming, the agricultural sector has become one of the main contributors to the increase in CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect, dependence and correlations of CO2 in soil with native vegetation (presence/absence, corn yield) and climatic conditions (soil temperature and moisture) during three years of measurements under different management practices in a classical conventional agroecosystem. This research contains four different treatments: control treatment (CT), dolomite/organic fertilization (DOL/OF), mineral fertilization (MF) and black fallow (BF). During the investigated period, the average overall C-CO2 flux ranged from 7.98 kg ha−1 day−1 on bare soil to 16.26 kg ha−1 day−1 on soil treated with mineral fertilization. No statistically significant difference was observed among different fertilization treatments, except in 2013 and 2015 when comparing different fertilization treatments to bare soil. In all three years, there was a positive correlation between average C-CO2 fluxes and soil temperature. Additionally, in 2013 and 2017, there was a positive correlation between average C-CO2 fluxes and soil moisture, while a negative correlation was observed in 2015. Obtained values of crop yield ranged from 0.89 t ha−1 in the control treatment (in 2015) to 14.81 t ha−1 in the treatment with mineral fertilization (in 2017). Growing global concern about the effects of climate change calls for intensive research on the carbon cycle, and these results will contribute to the understanding of carbon transformation in different crops and soil management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an integrated and dynamic model for the management of the uplands of the Hill Tracts of Chittagong to predict food security and environmental loading for gradual transition of shifting agriculture land into horticulture crops and teak plantation, and crop land into tobacco cultivation. Food security status for gradual transmission of shifting agriculture land into horticulture crops and teak plantation, and crop land into tobacco cultivation is the best option for food security, but this causes the highest environmental loading resulting from tobacco cultivation. Considering both food security and environmental degradation in terms of ecological footprint, the best option is gradual transition of shifting agriculture land into horticulture crops which provides moderate increase in the food security with a relatively lower environmental degradation in terms of ecological footprint. Crop growth model InfoCrop was used to predict the climate change impacts on rice and maize production in the uplands of the Hill Tracts of Chittagong. Climate change impacts on the yields of rice and maize of three treatments of temperature, carbon dioxide and rainfall change (+0 °C, +0 ppm and +0 % rainfall), (+2 °C, +50 ppm and 20 % rainfall) and (+2 °C, +100 ppm and 30 % rainfall) were assessed. The yield of rice decreases for treatment 2, but it increases for treatment 3. The yield of maize increases for treatments 2 and 3 since maize is a C plant. There is almost no change in food security at upazila (sub-district) level for the historical climate change scenario, but there is small change in the food security at upazila levels for IPCC climate change scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Climate change will affect agricultural production by subsistence farms in crop centers of origin, where landraces are conserved in situ. Various strategies for adaptation to climate change have been proposed. In this paper we examine the prospects of what we call the ‘transgenic adaptation strategy’, i.e. the appeal to use transgenic seeds to adapt to climate change, through the lens of smallholder maize farming in Mexico. Landraces are the bedrock of maize production in Mexico. We consider how maize farmers may respond to climate change and the effects of those responses on crop diversity. In this paper, we argue that the promotion of the transgenic adaptation strategy is problematic for biological and social reasons. Smallholder livelihoods in southern Mexico could suffer a disproportionate negative impact if transgenic technology is privileged as a response to climate change. Agroecological and evolutionary approaches to addressing the effects of climate change on smallholder agriculture provides an alternative adaptive strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: The climate change consequences have been manifested on the environmental condition's changes (temperature, rainfall, frost, drought, and soil salinity), then, the analysis of maize genetic diversity and their environment interaction is suggested. The objectives of this research were to determine the yield potential, the response to different environments of 63 maize landrace populations representative of the genetic variation in the southeast of Coahuila, Mexico. Method: The agronomic evaluation of native maize populations of eight racial groups was carried out in the spring-summer cycle in 2013 in two contrasted and representative locations of the environmental conditions in the southeast of Coahuila. Blocks were established independently within each location, and, in one location, blocks were different planting date. The blocks × location combinations were considered different environments to explore and make an interpretation of the genotype by environment interaction. In this paper, the response to the environment is analyzed based on grain yield and days to male flowering. Results: Eight populations were identified with an outstanding average yielding potential across environments, with values between 7.4 and 8.5 t ha-1, mainly representative from the Tuxpeño, Raton and Tuxpeño Norteño races. Populations adapted to transition-high altitude areas had an average yield reduction of 4.1 t ha-1 (55.0%) after been exposed to intermediate altitude conditions. Discussion or Conclusion: The graphic interpretation of the genotype x environment interaction allowed to identify and to group the genotypes with specific adaptation in the environments of evaluation, as well as the ones with an average performance across environments. Twenty-two populations were identified with adaptation to transition- high altitude conditions, 14 to intermediate altitude areas and 27 populations with an average performance across environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of global climate change on agricultural productivity is an essential issue of ongoing concern. The growth and development of wheat, maize, and rice are influenced by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, increased temperatures, and seasonal rainfall patterns. However, due to differences in research methodologies (e.g., crop models, climate models, and climate scenarios), there is uncertainty in the existing studies regarding the magnitude and direction of future climate change impacts on crop yields. In order to completely assess the possible consequences of climate change and adaptation measures on crop production and to analyze the associated uncertainties, a database of future crop yield changes was developed using 68 published studies (including 1842 samples). A local polynomial approach was used with the full dataset to investigate the response of crop yield changes to variations in maximum and minimum temperatures, mean temperature, precipitation, and CO2 concentrations. Then, a linear mixed-effects regression model was utilized with the limited dataset to explore the quantitative relationships between them. It was found that maximum temperature, precipitation, adaptation measure, study area, and climate model had significant effects on changes in crop yield. Crop yield will decline by 4.21% for each 1 °C rise in maximum temperature and increase by 0.43% for each 1% rise in precipitation. While higher CO2 concentrations and suitable management strategies could mitigate the negative effects of warming temperatures, crop yield with adaptation measures increased by 64.09% compared to crop yield without adaptation measures. Moreover, the uncertainty of simulations can be decreased by using numerous climate models. The results may be utilized to guide policy regarding the influence of climate change and to promote the creation of adaptation plans that will increase crop systems' resilience in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is increasing both average temperatures and the frequencies of extreme high temperatures. Past studies have documented a strong negative effect of exposures to temperatures >30°C on hybrid maize yields. However, these studies could not disentangle genetic adaptation via artificial selection from changes in agronomic practices. Because most of the earliest maize hybrids are no longer available, side-by-side comparisons with modern hybrids under current field conditions are generally impossible. Here, we report on the collection and curation of 81 years of public yield trial records covering 4,730 maize hybrids, which enabled us to model genetic variation for temperature responses among maize hybrids. We show that selection may have indirectly and inconsistently contributed to the genetic adaptation of maize to moderate heat stress over this time period while preserving genetic variance for continued adaptation. However, our results reveal the existence of a genetic tradeoff for tolerance to moderate and severe heat stress, leading to a decrease in tolerance to severe heat stress over the same time period. Both trends are particularly conspicuous since the mid-1970s. Such a tradeoff poses challenges to the continued adaptation of maize to warming climates due to a projected increase in the frequency of extreme heat events. Nevertheless, given recent advances in phenomics, enviromics, and physiological modeling, our results offer a degree of optimism for the capacity of plant breeders to adapt maize to warming climates, assuming appropriate levels of R&D investment. Author summary: As climate change increases average temperatures, the heat tolerance of major crops becomes more important to global food security. Past studies in maize have documented strongly negative effects of heat stress on maize yields but without adequate characterization of changes to heat tolerance over time. In this study, we explored changes in maize heat tolerance over the past 80 years of hybrid maize breeding using data from public yield trials. We showed that tolerance to moderate heat stress has increased, but that tolerance to severe heat stress has decreased. Because climate change is expected to increase the incidence of severe heat stress in particular, these findings indicate the need for more detailed genetic and physiological studies of heat tolerance and their incorporation into plant breeding efforts. They also highlight the past successes of plant breeders at adapting maize to moderate heat stress. Overall, our findings suggest directions for further research to mitigate the negative effects of climate change and a tempered optimism for their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The time between the appearance of successive leaves, or phyllochron, characterizes the vegetative development of annual plants. Hypothesis testing models, which allow the comparison of phyllochrons between genetic groups and/or environmental conditions, are usually based on regression of thermal time on the number of leaves; most of the time a constant leaf appearance rate is assumed. However regression models ignore auto-correlation of the leaf number process and may lead to biased testing procedures. Moreover, the hypothesis of constant leaf appearance rate may be too restrictive. Methods: We propose a stochastic process model in which emergence of new leaves is considered to result from successive time-to-events. This model provides a flexible and more accurate modeling as well as unbiased testing procedures. It was applied to an original maize dataset collected in the field over three years on plants originating from two divergent selection experiments for flowering time in two maize inbred lines. Results and conclusion: We showed that the main differences in phyllochron were not observed between selection populations but rather between ancestral lines, years of experimentation and leaf ranks. Our results highlight a strong departure from the assumption of a constant leaf appearance rate over a season which could be related to climate variations, even if the impact of individual climate variables could not be clearly determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]