Future climate change impacts on mulched maize production in an arid irrigation area

Future climate change (FCC) and water scarcity significantly affect agricultural production in arid areas. Plastic film mulching (PM) combined with large irrigation amounts is popular for agricultural production in these areas. Crop model is an important tool for studying FCC's effect on crop production and its countermeasures. In this study, after calibration and validation using measured values from a two-year field experiment, the SPACSYS (v 6.0) and modified DSSAT-CERES-Maize (v 4.7.0.0) models were used to evaluate the implementation of six management systems (three mulching measures: transparent film, black film, no film; two fertilization levels: high, low) and to optimize management measures under FCC. Both models well simulated maize's anthesis and maturity dates, the final aboveground biomass, yield, and topsoil soil water content (SWC) compared with the measured values. SPACSYS simulated the maize growth and SWC under nitrogen stress better than DSSAT. Total 27 global climate models (GCMs) were used to drive DSSAT and SPACSYS models with different irrigation schemes, including three irrigation amounts (I1, I2, I3) and four irrigation ratios (the proportion of total irrigation amount in different growing stages: T1, T2, T3, T4) to simulate crop phenology and yield under FCC in future decades (2040s and 2080s). Both models advanced the anthesis date (by 8.1-16.2 d in the 2040s and 12.8-20.3 d in the 2080s), maturity date (by 12.7-18.9 d in the 2040s and 19.1-24.8 d in the 2080s), and length of reproductive growth period (by 3.6-6.1 d in the 2040s and 5.8-11.0 d in the 2080s). The I1T1 scenario under transparent film mulching produced the highest yields (12.14-16.07% in the 2040s and 5.36-6.07% in the 2080s higher than the average). The I3T4 scenario maintained stable yields in the 2040s, decreasing by nearly 20% in the 2080s. Consequently, the I3T4 scenario could be the optimal management practice for balancing yield and irrigation for maize production in this arid area in the future decades.

Automated summary

This study utilized crop models to evaluate the effects of different management systems under future climate change conditions, showing that transparent film mulching and high water and fertilizer utilization can increase maize yield. Proper irrigation schemes are crucial for maintaining maize production in future arid areas.