Journal of Hunan Ecological Science

【Objective】It is to analyze the drought risk during the growth period of crops to provide a scientific basis for effective drought risk management and to achieve high and stable crop yields. 【Method】Precipitation datas from seven representative stations in Zhumadian City from 1970 to 2019 were utilized in this study. The growth period of summer maize was combined with the precipitation anom- aly percentage as a drought index to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics and drought risk of summer maize during different periods in Zhumadian City. 【Result】The drought of summer maize at various sites and scales was mainly characterized by light and moderate drought, accounting for 86% to 100% of the total drought events. However, the occurrence of severe and extreme drought was relatively rare. From a spatial distribution perspective, the intensity and frequency of drought occurrence in the southern region were relatively small. From monthly scales, the drought risk of summer maize at Pingyu station in the northeast of Zhumadian City was the highest, with drought risk index of 31. 20, 19. 44, and 27. 36 in June, July, and August, respectively. While the summer maize at Zhengyang station in the south had the lowest drought risk, with drought risk index of 19. 04, 15. 60 and 15. 60 in June, July, and August, re- spectively. From a seasonal perspective, the summer maize drought risk was the highest at Zhumadian station in the northwest region of Zhumadian City, with a drought risk index of 18. 72; the summer maize drought risk was the lowest at the Zhengyang station in the south, with a drought risk index of 9. 36. 【Conclusion】In actual production, it is necessary to combine the growth stage of summer maize and pre- cipitation situation, and focus on drought prevention work in areas with high drought risk in the north and west to reduce drought losses.

precipitation anomaly percentage; summer maize; drought; risk analysis