Using datetime:
>> DT = datetime(date,'InputFormat','yyyy-MM-dd');
>> DT.Year
ans =
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
>> DT.Month
ans =
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
>> DT.Day
ans =
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
Or using regexp:
>> tkn = regexp(date,'^(\d+)-(\d+)-(\d+)$','tokens','once');
>> tkn = vertcat(tkn{:});
>> Y = tkn(:,1)
Y =
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
'1985'
>> M = tkn(:,2)
M =
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
>> D = tkn(:,3)
D =
'01'
'01'
'01'
'01'
'02'
'02'
'02'
'02'
'03'
'03'