Abstract: Taking maize production in Shanxi province as the research object, studied the dynamic change of carbon footprint of maize planting system in Shanxi province was studied from 2010 to 2019 based on life cycle assessment method and analyzed its composition, which would provide a certain theoretical basis for low-carbon and cleaner production of maize as well as the smooth increase of grain production in Shanxi province. The results showed that: (1) from 2010 to 2019, the average carbon footprint of maize production in Shanxi province was 1959.14kg CO₂-eq·ha⁻¹ and 0.36kg CO₂-eq·kg⁻¹ per unit area and per unit yield, respectively. The carbon footprint per unit area, yield and production value generally showed an increasing trend and then a decreasing trend, with a large fluctuation from year to year. (2) Fertilizer production(50.08%), field N2O emission(27.39%) and oil consumption of agricultural machinery(6.89%) were the main sources of carbon footprint of maize in Shanxi province. If only the greenhouse gas emissions from field production were considered, the contribution of field N₂O emissions due to fertilizer application and fuel consumption of agricultural machinery to the carbon footprint of field production reached 67.47% and 16.66%. (3) Scientific fertilization, chemical fertilizer reduction and organic substitution were still the key approaches to reduce the carbon footprint of maize. In summary, while reducing the carbon footprint of maize, reducing maize production costs and formulating emission reduction measures according to local conditions are the keys to balance maize productivity, ecological environment and economic benefits of maize.

Key words: Shanxi province, Maize, Carbon footprint, Low-carbon agriculture