Evaluation and application of sustainable yield and efficiency increasing models in the main maize producing areas of China

Maize is a critical grain crop in China, having the largest planting area and highest total yield of all grain crops. In the four-primary maize-producing regions of China (Northeast, North China Plain, Northwest and Southwest), persistent regional production challenges and yield-limiting factors have impeded the realization of efficient maize production. This paper reviews sustainable, yield-enhancing and efficiency-improving practices for maize production in China. By addressing the regional constraints in major maize-producing areas and incorporating strategies, such as high-yield population construction, the establishment of appropriate tillage layers and soil fertility enhancement through precise matching technologies, this study integrates regionalized integrated fertilizer application and a government-enterprise-university-research-application collaborative model, focusing on the Science and Technology Backyards. The goal is to facilitate sustainable, efficient, scaled and modernized development across diverse maize-growing regions in China. This approach is expected to provide a foundation for sustainable and efficient maize production in China.