Maize kernel weight responses to sowing date-associated variation in weather conditions

Variation in weather conditions during grain filling has substantial effects on maize kernel weight (KW). The objective of this work was to characterize variation in KW with sowing date-associated weather conditions and examine the relationship between KW, grain filling parameters, and weather factors. Maize was sown on eight sowing dates (SD) at 15-20-day intervals from mid-March to mid-July during 2012 and 2013 in the North China Plain. With sowing date delay, KW increased initially and later declined, and the greatest KW was obtained at SD6 in both years. The increased KW at SD6 was attributed mainly to kernel growth rate (Gmean), and effective grain-filling period (P). Variations in temperature and radiation were the primary factors that influenced KW and grain-filling parameters. When the effective cumulative temperature (AT) and radiation (Ra) during grain filling were 950 °C and 1005.4 MJ m− 2, respectively, P and KW were greatest. High temperatures (daily maximum temperature [Tmax] > 30.2 °C) during grain filling under early sowing conditions, or low temperatures (daily minimum temperature [Tmin] < 20.7 °C) under late sowing conditions combined with high diurnal temperature range (Tmax-min > 7.1 °C) decreased kernel growth rate and ultimately final KW. When sowing was performed from May 25 through June 27, higher KW and yield of maize were obtained. We conclude that variations in environmental conditions (temperature and radiation) during grain filling markedly affect growth rate and duration of grain filling and eventually affect kernel weight and yield of maize.