Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2022, Vol. 21 Issue (7): 1941-1951    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63598-5
Special Issue: 玉米耕作栽培合辑Maize Physiology · Biochemistry · Cultivation · Tillage
Crop Science Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Grain yield and grain moisture associations with leaf, stem and root characteristics in maize
XU Chen-chen, ZHANG Ping, WANG Yuan-yuan, LUO Ning, TIAN Bei-jing, LIU Xi-wei, WANG Pu, HUANG Shou-bing
College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R.China
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
摘要  

本研究在2017年使用12个玉米品种进行了两个播期的田间试验,2019年使用10个玉米品种进行了田间试验。2017年早播的玉米产量在6.5 到14.6 t ha-1之间,晚播的玉米产量在9.3 到12.7 t ha-1之间,2019年玉米产量在5.9 到7.4 t ha-1之间,收获时的籽粒含水量分别在29.8-34.9%, 29.4-34.5%和31.9-37.1% 范围内。较大的最大叶面积有利于高产,叶片衰老速度快有利于后期籽粒脱水,根系结构紧凑有利于高产和籽粒快速脱水。较强壮的茎秆提高了玉米的抗倒伏能力,但在收获时却保持了较高的籽粒含水量,这对玉米高产低含水量是一个挑战。高产低籽粒含水量的玉米品种具备灌浆速率快,灌浆时间长,灌浆后期籽粒脱水速率快的特点。灌浆后期较高的日间温度可以通过影响籽粒灌浆和脱水进而提高玉米产量和降低籽粒含水量,说明调整播期可能可以作为达到籽粒机械收获的一个策略。




Abstract  
Improving grain yield (GY) and reducing grain moisture (GM) are urgent demands for directly harvesting kernels with combine harvesters in maize production.  GY and GM are both related to leaf, stem and root characteristics, but the relationships are not fully understood.  To better understand these relationships, we conducted a field trial involving 12 maize hybrids with two sowing dates in 2017 and 10 maize hybrids with one sowing date in 2019.  GY ranged from 6.5–14.6 t ha–1 in early-sown varieties and 9.3–12.7 t ha–1 in late-sown varieties in 2017, and 5.9–7.4 t ha–1 in 2019, respectively, with corresponding GM variations of 29.8–34.9%, 29.4–34.5% and 31.9–37.1% at harvest.  A large maximum leaf area contributed to a high yield, a fast leaf senescence rate accelerated grain dehydration in the late growth period, and a compact root structure resulted in both of high-yield and fast-grain dehydration.  A strong stem improved lodging resistance but maintained a high GM at harvest, and it is challenging to combine high GY and low GM in maize.  High GY co-existed with low GM in some varieties that should have a rapid grain filling, a relatively long grain-filling duration, and a rapid grain dehydration in the late growth period.  A high daily temperature in the late growth period also improved GY and reduced GM by influencing grain filling and dehydration, suggesting that adjusting the sowing date should be an alternative strategy to combine high GY and low GM in kernel harvesting. 
Keywords:  maize        grain yield        grain moisture        stem strength  
Received: 21 August 2020   Accepted: 16 December 2020
Fund: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31701361) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD300301).

About author:  Correspondence HUANG Shou-bing, E-mail: huangshoubing@cau.edu.cn

Cite this article: 

XU Chen-chen, ZHANG Ping, WANG Yuan-yuan, LUO Ning, TIAN Bei-jing, LIU Xi-wei, WANG Pu, HUANG Shou-bing. 2022. Grain yield and grain moisture associations with leaf, stem and root characteristics in maize. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 21(7): 1941-1951.

Antonietta M, Acciaresi H A, Guiamet J J. 2016. Responses to N deficiency in stay green and non-stay green argentinean hybrids of maize. Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science, 202, 231–242.
Antonietta M, Fanello D D, Acciaresi H A, Guiamet J J. 2014. Senescence and yield responses to plant density in stay green and earlier-senescing maize hybrids from Argentina. Field Crops Research, 155, 111–119.
Bekavac G, Purar B, Stojaković M, Jocković D, Ivanović M, Nastasić A. 2007. Genetic analysis of stay-green trait in broad-based maize populations. Cereal Research Communications, 35, 31–41.
Bekavac G, Stojaković M, Jocković D, Boćanski J, Purar B. 1998. Path analysis of stay-green trait in maize. Cereal Research Communications, 26, 161–167.
Borrás L, Westgate M E. 2006. Predicting maize kernel sink capacity early in development. Field Crops Research, 95, 223–233.
Borrás L, Zinselmeier C, Senior M L, Westgate M E, Muszynski M G. 2009. Characterization of grain-filling patterns in diverse maize germplasm. Crop Science, 49, 999–1009.
Brooking I R. 1990. Maize ear moisture during grain-filling, and its relation to physiological maturity and grain-drying. Field Crops Research, 23, 55–68.
Bucksch A, Burridge J, York L M, Das A, Nord E, Weitz J S, Lynch J P. 2014. Image-based high-throughput field phenotyping of crop roots. Plant Physiology, 166, 470–486.
Chen K, Kumudini S V, Tollenaar M, Vyn T J. 2015. Plant biomass and nitrogen partitioning changes between silking and maturity in newer versus older maize hybrids. Field Crops Research, 183, 315–328.
Chen X, Chen F, Chen Y, Gao Q, Yang X, Yuan L, Mi G. 2013. Modern maize hybrids in Northeast China exhibit increased yield potential and resource use efficiency despite adverse climate change. Global Change Biology, 19, 923–936.
Chen X, Zhang J, Chen Y, Li Q, Chen F, Yuan L, Mi G. 2014. Changes in root size and distribution in relation to nitrogen accumulation during maize breeding in China. Plant and Soil, 374, 121–130.
Chu Z D, Ming B, Li L L, Xue J, Zhang W X, Hou L Y, Xie R Z, Hou P, Wang K R, Li S K. 2022. Dynamics of maize grain drying in the high latitude region of Northeast China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 21, 365–374.
Ci X, Li M, Xu J, Lu Z, Bai P, Ru G, Liang X, Zhang D, Li X, Bai L, Xie C, Hao Z, Zhang S, Dong S. 2012. Trends of grain yield and plant traits in Chinese maize cultivars from the 1950s to the 2000s. Euphytica, 185, 395–406.
Cross H Z. 1991. Leaf expansion rate effects on yield and yield components in early-maturing maize. Crop Science, 31, 579–583.
Djordjevic J S, Ivanovic M R. 1996. Genetic analysis for stalk lodging resistance in narrow-base maize synthetic population ZPS14. Crop Science, 36, 909–913.
Eik K, Hanway J J. 1966. Leaf area in relation to yield of corn grain. Agronomy Journal, 58, 16–18.
Eyherabide G H, Hallauer A R. 1991. Reciprocal full-Sib recurent selection in maize: I. Direct and indirect responses. Crop Science, 31, 952–959.
Filipović M, Babić M, Delić N, Babić V, Bekavac G. 2014. Determination relevant breeding criteria by the path and factor analysis in maize. Genetika, 46, 49–58.
Gambín B L, Borrás L, Otegui M E. 2007. Kernel water relations and duration of grain filling in maize temperate hybrids. Field Crops Research, 101, 1–9.
Cao Y J, Wang L C, Gu W R, Wang Y J, Zhang J H. 2021. Increasing photosynthetic performance and post-silking N uptake by moderate decreasing leaf source of maize under high planting density. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20, 494–510.
Gao Z, Feng H Y, Liang X G, Zhang L, Lin S, Zhao X, Shen S, Zhou L, Zhou S L. 2018. Limits to maize productivity in the North China Plain: A comparison analysis for spring and summer maize. Field Crops Research, 228, 39–47.
Gasura E, Setimela P, Edema R, Gibson P T, Okori P, Tarekegne A. 2013. Exploiting grain-filling rate and effective grain-filling duration to improve grain yield of early-maturing maize. Crop Science, 53, 2295–2303.
Gregersen P L, Culetic A, Boschian L, Krupinska K. 2013. Plant senescence and crop productivity. Plant Molecular Biology, 82, 603–622.
Gui M Y, Wang D, Xiao H H, Tu M, Li F L, Li W C, Ji S D, Wang T X, Li J Y. 2018. Studies of the relationship between rice stem composition and lodging resistance. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 156, 387–395.
Hadi G. 2004. Effect of the length of the kernel filling period and the kernel filling rate on the grain yield of maize under different water supply conditions. Cereal Research Communications, 32, 465–470.
Hammer G L, Dong Z, McLean G, Doherty A, Messina C, Schussler J, Zinselmeier C, Paszkiewicz S, Cooper M. 2009. Can changes in canopy and/or root system architecture explain historical maize yield trends in the US corn belt? Crop Science, 49, 299–312.
He P, Zhou W, Jin J. 2004. Carbon and nitrogen metabolism related to grain formation in two different senescent types of maize. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 27, 295–311.
Huang S, Gao Y, Li Y, Xu L, Tao H, Wang P. 2017. Influence of plant architecture on maize physiology and yield in the Heilonggang River valley. The Crop Journal, 5, 52–62.
Kang M S, Zuber M S, Colbert T R, Horrocks R D. 1986. Effects of certain agronomic traits on and relationship between rates of grain-moisture reduction and grain fill during the filling period in maize. Field Crops Research, 14, 339–347.
Kosgey J R, Moot D J, Fletcher A L, McKenzie B A. 2013. Dry matter accumulation and post-silking n economy of ‘stay-green’ maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids. European Journal of Agronomy, 51, 43–52.
Li R, Liu P, Dong S, Zhang J, Zhao B. 2019. Increased maize plant population induced leaf senescence, suppressed root growth, nitrogen uptake, and grain yield. Agronomy Journal, 111, 1581–1591.
Liu W, Zou J, Zhang J, Yang F, Wan Y, Yang W. 2015. Evaluation of soybean (Glycine max) stem vining in maize–soybean relay strip intercropping system. Plant Production Science, 18, 69–75.
Liu X M, Gu W R, Li C F, Li J, Wei S. 2021. Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and chemical regulation on spring maize lodging characteristics, grain filling and yield formation under high planting density in Heilongjiang Province, China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20, 511–526.
Long N V, Assefa Y, Schwalbert R, Ciampitti I A. 2017. Maize yield and planting date relationship: A synthesis-analysis for US high-yielding contest-winner and field research data. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, 2106.
Lu H D, Xue J Q, Guo D W. 2017. Efficacy of planting date adjustment as a cultivation strategy to cope with drought stress and increase rainfed maize yield and water-use efficiency. Agricultural Water Management, 179, 227–235.
Mi G, Chen F, Yuan L, Zhang F. 2016. Ideotype root system architecture for maize to achieve high yield and resource use efficiency in intensive cropping systems. Advances in Agronomy, 139, 73–97.
Montgomery E. 1911. Correlation studies in corn. Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report, 24, 108–159.
Naruoka Y, Sherman J D, Lanning S P, Blake N K, Martin J M, Talbert L E. 2012. Genetic analysis of green leaf duration in spring wheat. Crop Science, 52, 99–109.
Peiffer J A, Flint-Garcia S A, De Leon N, McMullen M D, Kaeppler S M, Buckler E S. 2013. The genetic architecture of maize stalk strength. PLoS ONE, 8, e67066.
Peng X. 2011. China’s demographic history and future challenges. Science, 333, 581–587.
Reymond M, Muller B, Leonardi A, Charcosset A, Tardieu F. 2003. Combining quantitative trait loci analysis and an ecophysiological model to analyze the genetic variability of the responses of maize leaf growth to temperature and water deficit. Plant Physiology, 131, 664–675.
Robinson D, Peterkin J H. 2019. Clothing the emperor: dynamic root–shoot allocation trajectories in relation to whole-plant growth rate and in response to temperature. Plants, 8, 212.
Sala R G, Andrade F H, Westgate M E. 2007. Maize kernel moisture at physiological maturity as affected by the source–sink relationship during grain filling. Crop Science, 47, 711–714.
Shi D Y, Li Y H, Zhang J W, Liu P, Zhao B, Dong S T. 2016. Effects of plant density and nitrogen rate on lodging-related stalk traits of summer maize. Plant, Soil and Environment, 62, 299–306.
Singh T P. 1970. Association between certain stalk traits related to lodging and grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.). Euphytica, 19, 394–397.
Thomas H, Howarth C J. 2000. Five ways to stay green. Journal of Experimental Botany, 51, 329–337.
Tian B, Zhu J, Nie Y, Xu C, Meng Q, Wang P. 2019. Mitigating heat and chilling stress by adjusting the sowing date of maize in the North China Plain. Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science, 205, 77–87.
Tian B J, Zhu J C, L X W, Huang S B, Wang P. 2020. Interacting leaf dynamics and environment to optimize maize sowing date in North China Plain. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 19, 1227–1240.
Trachsel S, Kaeppler S M, Brown K M, Lynch J P. 2013. Maize root growth angles become steeper under low N conditions. Field Crops Research, 140, 18–31. 
Tsimba R, Edmeades G O, Millner J P, Kemp P D. 2013. The effect of planting date on maize: Phenology, thermal time durations and growth rates in a cool temperate climate. Field Crops Research, 150, 145–155.
Wang H, Yang Y, Zhang X, Tian G. 2015. Carbon footprint analysis for mechanization of maize production based on life cycle assessment: A case study in Jilin Province China. Sustainability, 7, 15772–15784.
Wang J, Zhu J, Lin Q, Li X, Teng N, Li Z, Lin J. 2006. Effects of stem structure and cell wall components on bending strength in wheat. Chinese Science Bulletin, 51, 815–823.
Wang T, Ma X, Li Y, Bai D, Liu C, Liu Z, Tan X, Shi Y, Song Y, Carlone M, Bubeck D, Bhardwaj H, Jones E, Wright K, Smith S. 2011. Changes in yield and yield components of single-cross maize hybrids released in China between 1964 and 2001. Crop Science, 51, 512–525.
Wang X, Wang X, Xu C, Tan W, Wang P, Meng Q. 2019. Decreased kernel moisture in medium-maturing maize hybrids with high yield for mechanized grain harvest. Crop Science, 59, 2794–2805.
Ward J K, Henry W B, Hock M W. 2016. Variability in harvest moisture and dry-down in multi-hybrid planting systems. Transactions of the ASABE, 59, 1111–1115.
Winter S R, Ohlrogge A J. 1973. Leaf angle, leaf area, and corn (Zea mays L.) yield. Agronomy Journal, 65, 395–397.
Xue J, Gou L, Shi Z G, Zhao Y S, Zhang W F. 2017. Effect of leaf removal on photosynthetically active radiation distribution in maize canopy and stalk strength. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 16, 85–96.
Xue J, Gou L, Zhao Y, Yao M, Yao H, Tian J, Zhang W. 2016. Effects of light intensity within the canopy on maize lodging. Field Crops Research, 188, 133–141.
Zhang J, Li G, Huang Q, Liu Z, Ding C, Tang S, Zhang W. 2017. Effects of culm carbohydrate partitioning on basal stem strength in a high-yielding rice population. The Crop Journal, 5, 478–487.
Zhang X, Yang J, Thomas R. 2017. Mechanization outsourcing clusters and division of labor in Chinese agriculture. China Economic Review, 43, 184–195.
Zhang Y L, Liu P, Zhang X X, Zheng Q, Chen M, Ge F, Li Z L, Sun W T, Guan Z R, Liang T H, Zheng Y, Tan X L, Zou C Y, Peng H W, Pan G T, Shen Y. 2018. Multi-locus genome-wide association study reveals the genetic architecture of stalk lodging resistance-related traits in maize. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 611.
Zhang Y M, Xue J, Zhai J, Zhang G Q, Zhang W X, Wang K R, Ming B, Hou P, Xie R Z, Liu C W, Li S K. 2021. Does nitrogen application rate affect the moisture content of corn grains? Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20, 2627–2638.
Zheng H J, Wu A Z, Zheng C C, Wang Y F, Cai R, Shen X F, Xu R R, Liu P, Kong L J, Dong S T. 2009. QTL mapping of maize (Zea mays) stay-green traits and their relationship to yield. Plant Breeding, 128, 54–62.
Zhou B, Yue Y, Sun X, Ding Z, Ma W, Zhao M. 2017. Maize kernel weight responses to sowing date-associated variation in weather conditions. The Crop Journal, 5, 43–51.
Zhou Y, Gu W, Li C, Liu X, Wang Y, Li J, Li C, Wei S. 2019. Relationships among grain filling, dehydration characteristics and hormones in spring maize with different maturities in Heilongjiang Province of China. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 56, 531–540.


[1] Peng Liu, Langlang Ma, Siyi Jian, Yao He, Guangsheng Yuan, Fei Ge, Zhong Chen, Chaoying Zou, Guangtang Pan, Thomas Lübberstedt, Yaou Shen. Population genomic analysis reveals key genetic variations and the driving force for embryonic callus induction capability in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(7): 2178-2195.
[2] Jiang Liu, Wenyu Yang. Soybean maize strip intercropping: A solution for maintaining food security in China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(7): 2503-2506.
[3] Hui Fang, Xiuyi Fu, Hanqiu Ge, Mengxue Jia, Jie Ji, Yizhou Zhao, Zijian Qu, Ziqian Cui, Aixia Zhang, Yuandong Wang, Ping Li, Baohua Wang. Genetic analysis and candidate gene identification of salt tolerancerelated traits in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(7): 2196-2210.
[4] Hui Chen, Hongxing Chen, Song Zhang, Shengxi Chen, Fulang Cen, Quanzhi Zhao, Xiaoyun Huang, Tengbing He, Zhenran Gao. Comparison of CWSI and Ts-Ta-VIs in moisture monitoring of dryland crops (sorghum and maize) based on UAV remote sensing[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(7): 2458-2475.
[5] Hanzhu Gu, Xian Wang, Minhao Zhang, Wenjiang Jing, Hao Wu, Zhilin Xiao, Weiyang Zhang, Junfei Gu, Lijun Liu, Zhiqin Wang, Jianhua Zhang, Jianchang Yang, Hao Zhang.

The response of roots and the rhizosphere environment to integrative cultivation practices in paddy rice [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(6): 1879-1896.

[6] Qilong Song, Jie Zhang, Fangfang Zhang, Yufang Shen, Shanchao Yue, Shiqing Li.

Optimized nitrogen application for maximizing yield and minimizing nitrogen loss in film mulching spring maize production on the Loess Plateau, China [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(5): 1671-1684.

[7] Jiangkuan Cui, Haohao Ren, Bo Wang, Fujie Chang, Xuehai Zhang, Haoguang Meng, Shijun Jiang, Jihua Tang.

Hatching and development of maize cyst nematode Heterodera zeae infecting different plant hosts [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(5): 1593-1603.

[8] Junnan Hang, Bowen Wu, Diyang Qiu, Guo Yang, Zhongming Fang, Mingyong Zhang.

OsNPF3.1, a nitrate, abscisic acid and gibberellin transporter gene, is essential for rice tillering and nitrogen utilization efficiency [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(4): 1087-1104.

[9] Shuang Cheng, Zhipeng Xing, Chao Tian, Mengzhu Liu, Yuan Feng, Hongcheng Zhang.

Optimized tillage methods increase mechanically transplanted rice yield and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(4): 1150-1163.

[10] Haiqing Gong, Yue Xiang, Jiechen Wu, Laichao Luo, Xiaohui Chen, Xiaoqiang Jiao, Chen Chen.

Integrating phosphorus management and cropping technology for sustainable maize production [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(4): 1369-1380.

[11] Pengcheng , Shuangyi Yin, Yunyun Wang, Tianze Zhu, Xinjie Zhu, Minggang Ji, Wenye Rui, Houmiao Wang Chenwu Xu, Zefeng Yang.

Dynamics and genetic regulation of macronutrient concentrations during grain development in maize [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(3): 781-794.

[12] Peng Wang, Lan Yang, Xichao Sun, Wenjun Shi, Rui Dong, Yuanhua Wu, Guohua Mi.

Lateral root elongation in maize is related to auxin synthesis and transportation mediated by N metabolism under a mixed NO3 and NH4+ supply [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(3): 1048-1060.

[13] Weina Zhang, Zhigan Zhao, Di He, Junhe Liu, Haigang Li, Enli Wang.

Combining field data and modeling to better understand maize growth response to phosphorus (P) fertilizer application and soil P dynamics in calcareous soils [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(3): 1006-1021.

[14] Cheng Guo, Xiaojie Zhang, Baobao Wang, Zhihuan Yang, Jiping Li, Shengjun Xu, Chunming Wang, Zhijie Guo, Tianwang Zhou, Liu Hong, Xiaoming Wang, Canxing Duan.

Identification, pathogenicity, and fungicide sensitivity of Eutiarosporella dactylidis associated with leaf blight on maize in China [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(3): 888-900.

[15] Binbin Li, Xianmin Chen, Tao Deng, Xue Zhao, Fang Li, Bingchao Zhang, Xin Wang, Si Shen, Shunli Zhou.

Timing effect of high temperature exposure on the plasticity of internode and plant architecture in maize [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(2): 551-565.

No Suggested Reading articles found!