Identifying key meteorological factors to yield variation of potato and the optimal planting date in the agro-pastoral ecotone in North China

Precipitation is the key yield–determining factor for rainfed agricultural production such as the agro-pastoral ecotone in North China with high variation in precipitation. However, the yield–precipitation relationship depends on the distribution and amount of precipitation over the crop growth period. Understanding crop yield responses to precipitation can help develop appropriate measures to ensure stable crop production in the agro-pastoral...