Historical data provide new insights into response and adaptation of maize production systems to climate change/variability in China

• Field observations on phenology and yield at 167 stations between 1981 and 2009 were used.
• Crop systems dynamics were accounted for when quantifying climate impacts on yield.
• Adoption of cultivars with longer reproductive growth duration contributed to yield increase.
• Decreases in solar radiation and temperature during maize growing period reduced yield.
• Shifts of maize genotypes and sowing dates to adapt climate change are under way.

Extensive studies had been conducted to investigate the impacts of climate change on maize growth and yield in recent decades; however, the dynamics of crop husbandry in response and adaptation to climate change were not taken into account. Based on field observations spanning from 1981 to 2009 at 167 agricultural meteorological stations across China, we found that solar radiation and temperature over the observed maize growth period had decreasing trends during 1981–2009, and maize yields were positively correlated with these climate variables in major production regions. The decreasing trends in solar radiation and temperature during maize growth period were mainly ascribed to the adoption of late maturity cultivars with longer reproductive growth period (RGP). The adoption of late maturing cultivars with longer RGP contributed substantially to grain yield increase during the last three decades. The climate trends during maize growth period varied among different production areas. During 1981–2009, decreases in mean temperature, precipitation and solar radiation over maize growth period jointly reduced yield most by 13.2–17.3% in southwestern China, by contrast in northwestern China increases in mean temperature, precipitation and solar radiation jointly increased yield most by 12.9–14.4%. Our findings highlight that the adaptations of maize production system to climate change through shifts of sowing date and genotypes are underway and should be taken into accounted when evaluating climate change impacts.