Quantification the impacts of climate change and crop management on phenology of maize-based cropping system in Punjab, Pakistan

Crop production is greatly impacted by growing season duration, which is driven by prevailing environmental conditions (mainly temperature) and agronomic management practices (particularly changes in cultivars and shifts in sowing dates). It is imperative to evaluate the impact of climate change and crop husbandry practices on phenology to devise future management strategies to prepare for climate change. Historical changes in spring and autumn maize phenology were observed in Punjab, Pakistan during 1980–2014. Sowing (S) of spring maize was earlier by an average of 4.6daysdecade−1, while autumn maize ‘S’ and emergence (E) were delayed on average 3.0and 1.9daysdecade−1. Observed anthesis (A) plus maturity (M) dates were earlier by 7.1 and 9.2daysdecade−1 and 2.8 and 4.4daysdecade−1for spring and autumn maize, respectively. Similarly,…