Nenghan Wan

Abstract Drought increasingly challenges rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) production worldwide, with pressures expected to intensify under future climate scenarios. Recent studies have examined the genetic and physiological bases of yield and drought tolerance improvements in maize; however, comprehensive, field-based quantification of synchronous improvements of yield and drought resistance across diverse environmental conditions remain limited.

Abstract Climate extremes cause significant winter wheat yield loss and can cause much greater impacts than single extremes in isolation when multiple extremes occur simultaneously. Here we show that compound hot-dry-windy events (HDW) significantly increased in the U.S. Great Plains from 1982 to 2020. These HDW events were the most impactful drivers for wheat yield loss, accounting for a 4% yield reduction per 10 h of HDW during heading to maturity.