Plant Selection Based On the Climatic Trend in the State of North Dakota, United States.

Corn is becoming an increasingly important crop in North Dakota, with the area planted for grain nearly doubling in the last three decades. Corn as a crop is gaining a lot of importance from farmers due to its gaining popularity as a source of food, fiber and fuel. The state of North Dakota is divided into five zones based on the corn variety grown. Corn varieties are usually based on the relative maturity (RM) days needed. Zone 1 corresponding for RM 92-102 days, zone 2 corresponding to RM 90-95 days, zone 3 corresponding to RM 85-90 days, zone 4 corresponding  for RM 75-80 days and zone 5 corresponding for RM ≤ 75days. Each variety of corn has a different requirement of relative maturity. General rule of thumb is the greater the relative maturity period, the greater the yield one can expect. The objective of our research is to determine how the climate change as reflected in the lengthening of the growing season affects regional net return of corn in the five zones of North Dakota. We in our research selected five cities Wahpeton, Fargo, Jamestown, Minot and Pembina from Zone 1,2,3,4,5 respectively to assess the changes in the growing season length and hence to determine what this change may mean for the corn variety grown in these areas. We have demonstrated in our conclusions that restructuring the boundaries of the corn relative maturity zones parallel to our changing climate promotes higher yield and is environmentally appropriate and economically viable. Restructuring of the boundaries of corn relative maturity zones parallel to the changing climate has been demonstrated in the state of North Dakota, United States.