Effects of Meteorological Factors and Soil Moisture on Summer Maize Yield in Hebei Province

The relationships among the summer maize yield and the precipitation amount,accumulative temperature,and soil moisture were analyzed using the linear regression method based on the data of agricultural meteorology,maize yield,and soil moisture at 10 agricultural and meteorological stations in Hebei province from 2001 to 2010,which can help understand the factors affecting the maize yield.The results showed that the summer maize yield is in positive correlation with the seasonal precipitation,accumulative temperature,and mean soil moisture at most of the stations.The maize yield in Hebei province can reach 70% of its maximum yield when the precipitation amount in the growing season of maize is 250～450 mm,the accumulative temperature is more than 2 200 ℃,and the soil moisture is higher than 70% of the field moisture capacity.When the seasonal precipitation is less than 250 mm,irrigation is needed to supplement the soil moisture and then ensure the maize yield.