Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environments
The potential benefit of drought-tolerant (DT) corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids may depend on drought intensity, duration, crop growth stage (timing), and the array of drought tolerance mechanisms present in selected hybrids. We hypothesized that corn hybrids containing DT traits would produce more consis...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2016-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpls.2016.01534/full |
| _version_ | 1818887485808181248 |
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| author | Eric Adee Kraig Roozeboom Guillermo Raul Balboa Alan Schlegel Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti |
| author_facet | Eric Adee Kraig Roozeboom Guillermo Raul Balboa Alan Schlegel Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti |
| author_sort | Eric Adee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The potential benefit of drought-tolerant (DT) corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids may depend on drought intensity, duration, crop growth stage (timing), and the array of drought tolerance mechanisms present in selected hybrids. We hypothesized that corn hybrids containing DT traits would produce more consistent yields compared to non-DT hybrids in the presence of drought stress. The objective of this study was to define types of production environments where DT hybrids have a yield advantage compared to non-DT hybrids. Drought tolerant and non-DT hybrid pairs of similar maturity were planted in six site-years with different soil types and seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), representing a range of macro-environments. Irrigation regimes and seeding rates were used to create several micro-environments within each macro-environment. Hybrid response to the range of macro and micro-environmental stresses were characterized in terms of water use efficiency, grain yield, and environmental index. Yield advantage of DT hybrids was positively correlated with environment ET and VPD. Drought tolerant hybrids yielded 5 to 7% more than non-DT hybrids in high and medium ET environments (> 430 mm ET), corresponding to seasonal VPD greater than 1200 Pa. Environmental index analysis confirmed that DT hybrids were superior in stressful environments. Yield advantage for DT hybrids appeared as yield dropped below 10.8 Mg ha-1 and averaged as much as 0.6 to 1 Mg ha-1 at the low yield range. Hybrids with DT technology can offer a degree of buffering against drought stress by minimizing yield reduction, but also maintaining a comparable yield potential in high yielding. Further studies should focus on the physiological mechanisms presented in the commercially available corn drought tolerant hybrids. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:37:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d76e5a13e8c44658ad51b550c206a110 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:37:59Z |
| publishDate | 2016-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-d76e5a13e8c44658ad51b550c206a1102022-12-21T20:13:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2016-10-01710.3389/fpls.2016.01534210680Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environmentsEric Adee0Kraig Roozeboom1Guillermo Raul Balboa2Alan Schlegel3Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti4Kansas State UniversityKansas State UniversityKansas State UniversityKansas State UniversityKansas State UniversityThe potential benefit of drought-tolerant (DT) corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids may depend on drought intensity, duration, crop growth stage (timing), and the array of drought tolerance mechanisms present in selected hybrids. We hypothesized that corn hybrids containing DT traits would produce more consistent yields compared to non-DT hybrids in the presence of drought stress. The objective of this study was to define types of production environments where DT hybrids have a yield advantage compared to non-DT hybrids. Drought tolerant and non-DT hybrid pairs of similar maturity were planted in six site-years with different soil types and seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), representing a range of macro-environments. Irrigation regimes and seeding rates were used to create several micro-environments within each macro-environment. Hybrid response to the range of macro and micro-environmental stresses were characterized in terms of water use efficiency, grain yield, and environmental index. Yield advantage of DT hybrids was positively correlated with environment ET and VPD. Drought tolerant hybrids yielded 5 to 7% more than non-DT hybrids in high and medium ET environments (> 430 mm ET), corresponding to seasonal VPD greater than 1200 Pa. Environmental index analysis confirmed that DT hybrids were superior in stressful environments. Yield advantage for DT hybrids appeared as yield dropped below 10.8 Mg ha-1 and averaged as much as 0.6 to 1 Mg ha-1 at the low yield range. Hybrids with DT technology can offer a degree of buffering against drought stress by minimizing yield reduction, but also maintaining a comparable yield potential in high yielding. Further studies should focus on the physiological mechanisms presented in the commercially available corn drought tolerant hybrids.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpls.2016.01534/fullyieldGenotypecornManagementenvironment.Drought tolerant |
| spellingShingle | Eric Adee Kraig Roozeboom Guillermo Raul Balboa Alan Schlegel Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environments Frontiers in Plant Science yield Genotype corn Management environment. Drought tolerant |
| title | Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environments |
| title_full | Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environments |
| title_fullStr | Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environments |
| title_short | Drought-tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought-stressed environments with no penalty in non-stressed environments |
| title_sort | drought tolerant corn hybrids yield more in drought stressed environments with no penalty in non stressed environments |
| topic | yield Genotype corn Management environment. Drought tolerant |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpls.2016.01534/full |
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