Less intensive nitrate leaching from Phaeozems cultivated with maize generally occurs in northeastern China

•Less than 5 kg nitrate-N ha−1 is annually leached from 1-m soil in northeast China.•Long term incorporation of full straw increases nitrate leaching intensity.•Reducing nitrogen doses is an effective way to reduce nitrate leaching intensity.•Nitrate leaching of cultivated Phaeozems is sensitive to climate warming.•Nitrogen dose, precipitation and temperature jointly regulate nitrate leaching.