The Effect of Ecological Factors on the Indexes of Yield Property Equation and Quantitative Analysis

The mechanism of action of ecological factors affecting crop growth and development was complicated. In order to study the relationships between ecological factors and the indexes of yield property equation and determine the main ecological factors affecting yield, using 3-yr field experimental results for different yielding spring maize (Zea mays L.) populations and the relative meteorological observation data in Huadian of Jilin Province in China, and analyzing on the base of the yield property equation (MLAI × D × MNAR × HI = EN × GN × GW), the main ecological factors were screened, and further mechanisms of action affecting yield were analyzed. Stepwise regression analysis showed that yield was affected mainly by effective accumulated temperature, daily mean minimum temperature, daily mean maximum temperature in July, the ratios of growth days, and the sunshine hour before and after silking. In yield property equation, four indexes of MLAI, growth days, ear number and grain number (total grain number) affected principally yield, the ecological factors affecting predominantly yield were effective accumulated temperature, daily mean temperature, daily mean minimum temperature, daily mean maximum temperature in July, the ratios of growth days, rainfall, accumulated temperature, and sunshine hours before and after silking. Combined with the two analytical methods, it could be deduced that the temperature and the allocated ratios before and after silking of ecological factors were the key factors to achieve high yield. Therefore, appropriate sowing data should be adjusted to achieve the suitable temperature indexes during the whole growth stage and the rational allocated ratios of ecological factors before and after silking.