Factors controlling regional grain yield in China over the last 20 years

International audienceFood production is highly dependent on regional yields of crops. Regional differences in grain yields could be due to fertilizer management and climate variability. Here, we analyze trends of grain yields in North China, Northeast China, East China, and Central and Southwest China from 1992 to 2012, using the Chinese statistical yearbooks. We estimate the major factors influencing yield by regression analysis. Results show that fertilizer indices were 40 % for Northeast China, 36 % for East China, 9 % for North China, and 6.8 % for Central and Southwest China. Soil indices were 67 % for Northeast China, 14 % for East China, 90 % for North China, and 6 % for Central and Southwest China. The indices of annual mean temperature were positive for Central and Southwest China (72 %) and East China (39 %), but negative for Northeast China (−15 %) and North China (−16 %). Soil factors explained 80 % of yield variation in North China. Annual mean temperature explained 80 % of yield variation in Central and Southwest China