Analysis of Spatio-temporal Characteristics and Change of Drought for Maize in Western Jilin Province

The western Jilin province is located in the "golden corn belt" of China, the agricultural production relies on rainfall, where drought is one of the main limiting factors for growth and field of maize. Based on the observation data collected from 8 meteorological stations in Western Jilin province from 1960 to 2012, crop water surplus deficit index(CWSDI) were defmed for maize in different growth stage, and then calculate the CWSDI and frequency, and identify the drought level, and Analysis of spatio-temporal characteristics and change of drought for maize. The results indicated that the occurrences of drought showed distinct seasonal. In the view of growth stage, mild drought and medium drought occurred with high frequency at the seedling stage, and other drought level except rave drought all occurred with high frequency. In the view of the frequency for different drought level, the mild drought occurred with high frequency is the jointing stage, the medium drought occurred with high frequency is seeding stage, the severe drought and the grave drought occurred with high frequency is maturity stage. In the view of the inter-annual, no matter which years and stages, the drought occurred with high frequency is from 2000 to 2012, thus it can be seen that the occurrence frequency of drought has increased in this area from 2000. The results show that positive significance to better understand the spatio-temporal characteristics and change of drought for maize in Western Jilin province and then it will be beneficial to provide the basis for emergency response and recovery capability.