Abstract
The progresses and experiences of grain production in China, the world’s largest grain producer, importer and consumer, are reviewed with emphasis on recent innovations. Farming systems are outlined, and the abiotic conditions and limitations to crop production are summarized, including historical changes in climate and soil. We analyze the contributions of genetic improvement to the yield of rice, wheat and maize and the underlying changes in phenotype. Agronomic innovations are presented, including reduced tillage, straw and plastic mulching, cropping season optimization, alternate dry-wetting irrigation for nursery and established rice crops, and site-specific nitrogen management. Responses and adaptations of major grain crops to realized and projected warming are discussed, including the expansion and re-drawing of cropping geographical boundaries. China has increased grain production continuously over recent decades but there are concerns with the secondary effects of intensive cropping on the environment, particularly farmland soil and water. Crop physiology, integrated with crop breeding and agronomy, will contribute to further innovations required for sustainable production.
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