Divergent recurrent selection for cold tolerance in two improved maize populations

Maize (Zea mays L.) production has significantly expanded into very short-season environments where germination and growth in cooler environments is essentially a pre-requisite. Therefore, an important goal for maize breeders is to improve local germplasm sources of inbred lines that are able to grow under these challenging conditions. The objective of this research was to evaluate direct and correlated responses in two improved early maturing maize populations [NDSCD(M)C10 and BS22(R)C7] after two cycles of S₁ and full-sib intra-population recurrent selection for cold tolerance. The S₁ and full-sib progenies were obtained by self-pollinating 100 random plants and by intercrossing 200 random plants, respectively. Ten percent of the families were selected, based on an index that included emergence percentage, seedling vigor, and root lodging percentage, and recombined at the same time in a summer nursery based upon data across northern North Dakota locations. The essential benefit of this breeding methodology was to achieve one year per cycle of selection based upon progenies. However, direct response to selection was not significant while some correlated responses were significant. We decided to report these results in order to encourage other scientists the evaluation of additional sources of germplasm, the screening at various dates, and the selection of target environments with more intensive cold stress before initiating long-term selection programs for cold tolerance. In addition, further research on the current and alternative long-term selection methods for cold tolerance is recommended for continuous genetic improvement of advanced cycles in the northern U.S. Corn Belt. Part of the thesis submitted by B. Sezegen in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a MS degree at North Dakota State University.     

密度与播期对晋西旱作玉米农艺性状及产量的影响

为了研究不同玉米品种在晋西旱作条件下的最佳栽培模式,采用3因素随机区组设计,对3个耐密型品种在4个种植密度和3个播期下的农艺性状及产量的数值差异进行比较研究。结果表明,密度对3个品种的最大叶面积指数、穗粒数、千粒重、产量的影响达显著或极显著水平,对株高、穗位高的影响不显著;播期对株高、穗位高、最大叶面积指数、穗粒数、千粒重、产量的影响达显著或极显著水平,主要农艺性状之间的交互作用共同影响并且决定了玉米产量。综合分析可知‘：先玉335’和‘大丰30’在67500株/hm²和5月中旬处理组合下产量最高,分别为13914.17kg/hm²、13487.67kg/hm²‘;福盛园55’在75000株/hm²和4月下旬处理组合下,产量最高为16114.37kg/hm²,本研究为3个玉米品种在本地区获得高产提供了一定的技术支撑。     

Response to long-term selection in early maturing maize synthetic varieties

Long-term continuous selection is essential for germplasm improvement. However, choice of germplasm for long-term genetic improvement might limit the success of germplasm enhancement programs. The objective of this research was to report the response to long-term selection in early maturing North Dakota (ND) synthetic varieties. We wanted to determine whether the performance of three ND maize synthetic varieties was improved by long-term mass selection (M) and if the performance of one of them was improved by long-term modified ear-to-row (MER) selection. The evaluation of long-term selection response was performed at two plant densities. An experiment in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement was used to evaluate NDSM(M), NDSAB(M), NDSCD(M), and NDSAB(MER) under 75,000 and 42,500 plants per hectare across seven environments. Long-term mass selection for grain yield and stalk lodging resistance in NDSM(M), NDSAB(M), and NDSCD(M) was not successful, since there were no significant changes in grain yield or stalk lodging in these populations at either low or high densities. On the other hand, long-term modified ear-to-row selection was effective for grain yield improvement in NDSAB(MER). Grain yield increased non-linearly from 3.9 Mg ha⁻¹ in cycle 0 to 5.0 Mg ha⁻¹ in cycle 12 at a rate of 2.5% per cycle. Interaction between plant density and genotype was not detected even though selection was performed at relatively low densities (20,000 plants ha⁻¹ for mass selection and 50,000 plants ha⁻¹ for ear-to-row selection). The confirmation of a lack of interaction between plant density and genotype suggests that selection at low plant densities might still be able to provide high-density stress resistance through density-independent genotypes, allowing progeny testing across multiple locations with better accuracy and fewer resources. Selection methods that emphasize both additive and dominance effects such as full-sib recurrent selection are recommended to maximize genetic improvement of advanced population cycles of early maturing synthetics.     

Changes in morphological and physiological traits associated with recurrent selection for grain yield in maize

Summary Experiments were conducted during the growing seasons of 1975 and 1976 to determine changes in morphological and physiological traits associated with recurrent selection for grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.). Four variety hybrids, BSSS(R)CO x BSCB1(R)CO, BSSS(R)C7 x BSCB1(R)C7 [from a reciprocal recurrent selection program involving Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) and Iowa Corn Borer Synthetic #1 (BSCB1)], BS12CO x B14A, and BS12C6 x B14A [from a half-sib selection program involving the open-pollinated variety Alph (BS12) and the inbred tester B14A] were grown at 59 300 and 98 800 plants/ha near Ames, Iowa We obtained data on CO₂-exchange rate (an estimate of photosynthetic rate), grain yield, grain-yield components, flowering dates, maturity traits, light interception and use, shelling percentage, harvest index, and various other plant traits.CO₂-exchange rate did not change appreciably with recurrent selection for yield. Grain yield per hectare and per plant were larger for the improved than unimproved hybrids. Grain-yield components did not change significantly with recurrent selection. Kernel weight of BSSS(R)C7 x BSCB1 (R)C7, however, was larger than that of BSSS(R)C0 x BSCB1(R)C0. Pollen-shed-to-silking interval was shorter for the improved than the unimproved hybrids, and grain-filling duration was longer in C7 x C7 than in C₀ x C₀ of the reciprocal recurrent selection program. Furthermore, improved hybrids were characterized by smaller tassels and more upright canopies. Usually, plant traits and leaf-area-related traits were similar for all hybiids.Although dry-matter productivity was similar for all hybrids, those that were improved by recurrent selection produced more grain per unit leaf area and per unit light interception. Also, BS12C6 x B14A was characterized by a higher harvest index than BS12CO x B14A.We concluded that the source (i.e., photosynthetic capacity) was not limiting grain yield in BSSS(R) x BSCB1(R) and BS12. Increased grain yields that resulted from recurrent selection were consequences of longer grain-filling duration for BSSS(R) x BSCB1(R) and increased translocation of photosynthate from source to sink for both BSSS(R) x BSCB1(R) and BS12.Journal Paper J-8953 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa. Project No. 2152.     

播期对糯玉米籽粒产量及品质的影响

为满足农户对糯玉米种植的不同需求,探讨山西中晚熟地区播期对糯玉米产量与品质的影响。以晋糯18和晋糯20为试验材料,4月26日-7月5日,设置6个播期处理,研究其对产量、穗长、百粒重、穗粒重及籽粒蛋白质、淀粉、粗纤维素及赖氨酸相对含量的影响。结果表明,播期与品种对糯玉米产量及品质都有显著影响。其中B3播期（5月24日）处理下2个糯玉米品种产量、穗长、百粒重及穗粒重都高于其他播期处理,说明糯玉米适宜在小满前后播种。提前播期有利于籽粒蛋白质、赖氨酸相对含量的提高,而推迟播期降低籽粒粗纤维素、赖氨酸相对含量。B1与B6播期下籽粒淀粉相对含量低于其他播期,且B4、B5播期下籽粒淀粉相对含量高于其他播期。说明适当推迟播期有利于籽粒淀粉相对含量的提高,但过早或过迟播种均显著降低籽粒淀粉含量。糯玉米籽粒中粗纤维素含量与品种遗传背景密切相关,且推迟播种后品种差异对籽粒淀粉含量的影响降低。通过相关性分析发现积温、降水量与产量、穗粒重以及赖氨酸相对含量均达到极显著正相关关系,与穗长、百粒重均达到显著正相关关系,说明播期对产量性状及籽粒赖氨酸相对含量有显著影响。在山西中晚熟地区糯玉米在小满前后播种时产量最高,适当提前有利于籽粒蛋白质、赖氨酸含量的提高,适当推迟有利于籽粒粗纤维素、淀粉含量的提高。     

Effects of recurrent selection for grain yield on plant and ear traits of five maize populations

Summary Maize (Zea mays L.) breeders are interested in the effects of recurrent selection for grain yield on other traits. Changes in plant traits could alter agronomic acceptability of the populations under selection, and observed improvements in grain yield could be explained by changes in ear traits. We evaluated changes in combining ability for plant and ear traits of BS10(FR), BS11(FR), BSSS(R), BSCB1(R), and Lancaster Surecrop associated with recurrent selection for grain yield.Recurrent selection procedures generally did not change plant and ear heights or date of silking of testcrosses of populations or of the population crosses, BS10(FR)×BSS11(FR) and BSSS(R)×BSCB1(R). Grain yield improvements, however, were associated with increases in ear-sink size.Journal Paper No. J 9517 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa. Project 2152.     

Recurrent selection for grain yield in early generations of two barley populations

Summary Two spring barley composites, one based on eight West-European two-rowed cultivars (A) and one, the predominantly six-rowed composite XXI, based on several thousands of barley cultivars (B), formed the starting point of a recurrent selection procedure. The aim was to study whether recurrent selection in early generations is an effective procedure to improve barley populations for agronomic characteristics, especially grain yield.After two cycles of recurrent selection in the two populations A and B separately, and consisting of single plant selection followed by line selection, one cycle of recurrent selection was applied to the population produced by intercrossing the selected A and selected B lines.The selection for grain yield in the F2 single plant stages and the F3 line stages was carried out by selecting the plants or lines with the largest mean head weight provided that they did not tiller too poorly. Also some selection was applied against extremes in heading date and against tall plants.After two cycles of recurrent selection the grain yield, tested over two years and two locations, had increased with 16.5% in population A and with 27.0% in population B. Both the single plant selection and the line selection had contributed significantly to this response.The population created by crossing the selected A with the selected B lines showed a significant reduction in yield compared to the mean yield of the A and B lines constituting this population. Single plant selection, followed by line selection did raise the yield level 5.7% above that of the mean of these A and B lines. Several lines produced from this intercross combined an excellent grain yield with outstanding resistance to barley leaf rust and powdery mildew. However, these lines like the entire intercross population suffered from susceptibility to lodging, a characteristic derived from population B.In five experimental situations mixtures of genotypes were compared with the mean of the monocultures of the constituting genotypes. The mixture yielded always more, the average mixture effect being 4.5%.     

播期与密度对重庆山区玉米性状及产量的影响研究

为探明玉米新品种‘渝单30’在重庆地区的最适播期及最佳种植密度,通过大田裂区试验设计,研究播期与种植密度对玉米田间主要农艺性状和产量的影响。结果表明：在重庆地区,播期延后,生育期天数缩短、百粒重及产量降低,株高、穗位高随播期的延后而增加,穗部性状变化不显著。密度增加,株高、穗位高也随之增加,穗长、穗粗、茎粗、行数、行粒数等随密度的增加而减少,百粒重、产量随密度的增加而增大,但到一定阀值后,密度增加,产量和百粒重则减少。3种播期下产量表现为A1>A2>A3,4种密度下产量表现为B3>B4>B2>B1,播期密度互作下产量表现为A1B3>A1B4>A2B3>A2B4>A3B3>A3B4> A2B2>A1B1>A2B1>A3B1。因此适当提前播种和增加种植密度可增加玉米单位面积产量,确定了A1B3是重庆地区的最佳种植配置。     

Variation among Andean races of maize for cold tolerance during heterotrophic and early autotrophic growth

Cold in the initial growth stages is an important stressfactor for maize grown in regions with a temperate climate,particularly in case of early sowing. Sources of tolerancehave been identified in adapted genotypes, but promisinggenes for cold tolerance should also be found in materialdeveloped under the lower-temperature margins of the cropdistribution. This research was conducted in order to testAndean maize accessions for cold tolerance expressed duringboth the heterotrophic and early autotrophic growth stages.Experiments were conducted in controlled environments tostudy cold tolerance traits (germination %, germinationindex and plant growth rate) at continuous 10^°C (heterotrophic growth) and at varying 10–16^°C (autotrophic growth). An experiment was also performed inthe field with early sowing (both heterotrophic and autotrophic growth). In each experiment, a control trialwas conducted in more favourable conditions (i.e. continuous25^°C in a controlled environment or late planting inthe field) so that cold tolerance traits could also beexamined as the ratio between the stress and the controltrial. None of the accessions was superior for all coldtolerance traits. However, several Andean maize accessionsoutperformed the US Corn-belt hybrid checks for one or moretraits, both in heterotrophic and autotrophic growth. Overall, BOZM 855, PMS 636, Poblacion D, Poblacion E andBOZM 696 were the best accessions, suggesting that they canbe a promising source of genes for improving cold toleranceof adapted maize genotypes.     

Reciprocal recurrent selection for multitrait indices in maize

Summary Reciprocal recurrent selection was carried out with two populations of maize (Zea mays L.) having good combining ability. We selected for higher grain yield, early maturity, shorter plant height and lodging resistance. Two cycles were completed in two years (four seasons), by resorting to late planting of S1 lines for recombination in the main season in which top-cross families were assessed. Top-crosses and selfings were made in the off-season. The original and improved versions of the populations and their crosses were evaluated in multilocation trials. The superiority of the population hybrid was 10.3% for grain yield, 5.5% for plant height and 1.8 days to silk. The improved hybrid had delayed leaf senescence and better resistance to lodging and post-flowering stalk rots. Among the yield components, only ear girth showed improvement. Syn 2 of the improved population cross showed a yield reduction of 6.2% in comparison to Syn 1. Intrapopulation gains were not significant except for lodging resistance in one population.     

冬小麦品种新麦29在不同播期和播量处理下产量形成的影响

筛选出冬小麦较适宜的播期和播量组合以适应冬前积温不断增加的环境变化,以新麦29作为研究对象,于2016～2017年度在河南省辉县市开展播期(10月12日、18日和19日)和播量(基本苗210万、300万和390万／ha)二因素裂区试验,探索不同播期和播量条件下对小麦的产量及其构成因素的影响。结果显示不同播期之间的平均容重是以10月12日显著低于其他两个播期,而随着播量不断增加其平均容重亦随之增加,但差异不显著;相同播期不同播量处理对农艺性状结实小穗数的影响不显著,同时对不孕小穗数则无明显变化规律。播期对穗数、穗粒数、千粒重3个产量构成因素的影响均显著,但对籽粒产量的影响不显著。播量对产量及穗数、穗粒数2个构成因素的影响均呈现出差异水平显著。不同播期和播量互作效应对小麦籽粒产量与单位面积穗数两者均呈现出差异性显著。与播量相比较而言,播期对新麦29产量影响较大。随着播期的不断推迟,新麦29的产量不断下降且10月12日的产量显著高于10月24日的。播量210万/ha与播量390万/ha 之间的平均产量显著差异,但都与播量300万/ha相比差异都不显著。依据不同播期和播量组合的产量分析,最佳播期是10月12日,基本苗300万/ha为较适宜的播量;新麦29的产量潜力在播期10月12日至18日是较为适宜范围,与其对应的适宜播量为基本苗300万～390万/ha得以充分发挥。     

Increased utilization of lengthening growing season and warming temperatures by adjusting sowing dates and cultivar selection for spring maize in Northeast China

Global warming has lengthened the theoretical growing season of spring maize in Northeast China (NEC), and the temperatures during the growing season have increased. In practise, crop producers adjust sowing dates and alternate crop cultivars to take advantage of the lengthening growing season and increasing temperatures. In this study, we used crop data and daily weather data for 1981–2007 at five locations in NEC to quantify the utilization of the lengthening growing season and increasing temperatures by adjusting sowing dates and cultivar selection for spring maize production. If these two positive factors are not fully utilized, then it is important to know the potential impacts of these climatic trends on spring maize grain yields. The results show that in NEC, both the actual and theoretical growing seasons are lengthening, i.e., the sowing dates have been advanced and the maturity dates have been delayed. The actual sowing dates are 1–8 days later and the actual maturity dates are 6–22 days earlier than the theoretical perspective. Advancing sowing dates and changing cultivars led to 0–5 days and 6–26 days extension of the growing season. For the potential thermal time (TT), adjusting the sowing dates decreased the unutilized TT before sowing, while the cultivar selection increased the utilized TT and decreased the unutilized TT after maturity. On average, the unutilized heating resource before sowing is less than that after the maturity date (0.3–1.9% vs. 2.1–7.8%). During 1981–2007, for per day extension of the growing season, the spring maize grain yield increased by 75.2 kg ha⁻¹. The spring maize grain yields have increased by 7.1–57.2% when both early sowing and changing cultivars during 1981–2007. In particular, adjusting the sowing dates increased the grain yield by 1.1–7.3%, which was far less than the increase effect (6.5–43.7%) from switching to late maturing cultivars. Therefore, selecting late maturing cultivars is an important technique to improve maize grain yields in NEC under the global warming context. Nevertheless, if the currently unutilized TT were fully explored, the local spring maize grain yield would have increased by 12.0–38.4%.     

向日葵干物质转运及产量对播种期和栽培密度的响应

以油用向日葵T562为供试材料,采用二因素裂区设计,研究了5个播期（4月25日、5月2日、5月9日、5月16日及5月23日）和4个种植密度（3.75×10⁴、4.50×10⁴、5.25×10⁴、6.00×10⁴株/hm²）条件下向日葵干物质转运及产量变化。结果表明：随着播期的推迟,向日葵各生育期均缩短,播期对向日葵出苗至开花阶段影响较大,对开花至成熟阶段影响较小。成熟期植株干物质积累量在不同密度下的均值依次为4.50×10⁴>3.75×10⁴>6.00×10⁴>5.25×10⁴株/hm²。随种植密度的增加单盘粒重逐渐降低,产量逐渐增加。籽仁率在播期5月16日、密度5.25×10⁴株/hm²处理下达最大,为74.09%;百粒重及产量在播期5月2日、密度6.00×10⁴株/hm²处理下达最大,分别为8.76g、6859.00kg/hm²;单盘粒重在播期5月23日、密度3.75×10⁴株/hm²处理下达到最大,为138.14g。     

Effect of Okra Planting Density and Spatial Arrangement in Intercrop with Maize on the Growth and Yield of the Component Species

The effects of three okra planting densities (28 000; 56 000 and 111 000 plants ha¹) intercropped within or between maize rows were investigated in two field trials during the 1990 and 1991 wet seasons at Nsukka. The plant height and the leaf area index (LAI) increased as the planting density increased in sole or intercropped okra while the number of branches per plant decreased with increasing okra planting density. The height of maize plants also increased as okra planting density increased but the LAI decreased. Intercropping reduced the yield and yield components (number and weight of pods per plant) of okra and maize (number of cobs, cob length and 100-grain weight). Increasing okra planting density reduced the sole and the intercropped okra and also the maize intercrop yield by reducing the number of pods and grains as well as the pod and grain size, respectively. Assessment of the productivity ofthe mixtures showed that the highest yield advantage (35%) of growing okra and maize together was obtained at 28000 okra plants ha¹ while the highest monetary return was realized at the highest okra planting density of 111000 plants ha¹ intercropped between maize rows. The patterns of row arrangement did not have effect on the growth, yield and yield components of the mixtures.     

适宜机械化栽培的甘蓝型油菜农艺性状与单株产量的相关性分析及耐密油菜育种探讨

分析适宜机械化栽培的甘蓝型油菜农艺性状与单株产量的相关性及耐密油菜育种探讨,为选育耐密种植,适合轻简化收获的油菜提供理论基础。对农艺性状与单株产量的灰色关联度、通径分析和因子分析进行研究。结果表明：单株有效角果数、每角粒数和分枝数的关联度最大,在相关性中,株高、单株有效角果数、每角粒数与单株产量呈现显著相关,而且性状内部也存在着相关性,对单株产量的直接作用大小为：单株有效角果数>主花序有效角果数>每角粒数>结角密度>千粒重>株高>分枝部位>主花序长>分枝数。因子分析表明：株高、分枝部位、主花序长、主花序角果数、单株有效角果数在农艺性状中累计贡献率占到了总体的74.99%,起到了主要作用。在选育中应加强主花序有效角果数和结角密度的选择,分枝部位要合适,减少无效分枝数,注重株型结构性状的选择,从而努力提高角粒数和千粒重,为有效提高单株产量打下基础。     

Yield response to honeycomb selection in maize

Summary This research evaluated the response to three cycles of mass honeycomb selection based on the grain yields of widely-spaced plants from the F₂ generation of a maize (Zea mays L.) single cross hybrid. Frequency distributions of individual plant yields in the selection plots showed strong positive skewness. A significant linear yield increase of 11.23% per cycle compared to the check was obtained. Correlated responses were the significant reduction in days to mid-silking, increases in ear and plant heights and in prolificacy. The selected population was similar to the original hybrid in days to mid-silking, ear and plant heights, but had significantly more ears per plant. It is concluded that mass honeycomb selection at wide spacings was effective in improving grain yield and prolificacy but may produce correlated responses in some other agronomic traits similar to those obtained with other selection schemes.     

Plant growth regulator and its interactions with environment and genotype affect maize optimal plant density and yield

Increasing planting density is important to raise maize yield, however, high density often leads to an increase risk of lodging due to dense canopy and weak stem. Maize yield and optimal plant density are increased by applying plant growth regulator compound of ethephon and DA-6, however, we do not know if this compound would interact with location and genotype. In this study, a novel plant growth regulator, as the synthesis of N, N- diethyl − 2 − hexanoyl oxygen radicals − ethyl amine (2-ethyl chloride) phosphonic acid salt (DHEAP), combining the effects of ethephon and DA-6 in one chemical, was developed and tested at three locations, five plant densities (6.75, 8.25, 9.75, 11.25 and 12.75 plants m⁻²) and three cultivars in 2014–2015. This study aimed to quantify the interactions between environment, genotype and management (Appling DHEAP and plant density) on lodging-related optimal plant density and yield. DHEAP significantly increased grain yield by 10.7% due to the increases of kernel weight by 3.2% and kernel number per ear by 4.4%. On average across genotypes and environments, applying DHEAP increased optimum plant density by 6%. The optimal plant density interacted with cultivar, DHEAP and environment. Applying DHEAP reduced lodging percentage by lowering ear height. The yield-lodging relationship was affected by genotype and location. We concluded that maize yield could be enhanced by optimizing plant density, applying DHEAP and cultivar selection, but climatic and environmental differences of locations should be considered.     

源于陕A群、陕B群玉米自交系在不同密度条件下配合力分析

采用NC-II遗传设计,以郑58、昌7-2为测验种,与17份高密度条件下筛选的玉米自交系组配成34份杂交组合,2014—2015年分别于陕西杨凌、长武、榆林进行3种密度(45 000、67 500和90 000株hm–2)配合力分析试验。采用PROC VARCOMP分析不同密度条件下产量及耐密性相关性状的遗传效应,采用频率直方分布图研究不同密度条件下产量及耐密性相关性状一般配合力(GCA)平均数的变化规律,利用AMMI评价玉米自交系与杂交组合的稳定性。结果表明,产量、倒伏率、茎秆强度主要受加性遗传效应控制,空秆率主要受非加性遗传效应控制。加性遗传效应对产量及耐密性相关性状的贡献率随种植密度的增加呈上升趋势。玉米自交系产量、空秆率、倒伏率、茎秆强度的一般配合力频率均属于正态分布,随着种植密度的增加,产量GCA的平均值提高了0.28,空秆率GCA平均值降低了0.21,倒伏率GCA平均值降低了0.03,茎秆强度GCA平均值增加了0.02。玉米杂交组合产量与玉米自交系产量GCA密切相关(r=0.877**,r=0.811**,r=0.672**)。随着种植密度的增加,表现稳定的玉米自交系及杂交组合的数量呈上升趋势。因此,强化逆境选择压力,实施高密度选择策略,是增强玉米自交系耐密性和抗倒性,提升一般配合力,实现产量增益的有效措施。     

播期、密度和氮肥运筹对高产品种-淮麦33产量和品质的调控

为了明确高产小麦品种淮麦33优质、高产、高效栽培的群体调控和氮肥管理策略,以淮麦33为材料,研究了播期、密度、施氮水平和基追比对其籽粒产量和品质的影响。结果表明,播期和密度对淮麦33的籽粒产量均有显著影响。5个播期中,10月11日播种的籽粒产量最高,10月1日、10月21日亦可以取得较高产量,10月31日播种产量明显下降,11月10日播种产量下降最多。密度为225万?hm-2时产量最高。蛋白质含量也随着密度的增加和播期的推迟呈上升趋势。同时,增加氮肥用量和后期施肥比例不仅可以提高淮麦33产量,亦可以增加蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量和沉淀值。综合分析,在本试验条件下,10月11日播种、225万?hm-2基本苗、施氮量300 kg?hm-2,氮肥运筹5:3:2时淮麦33产量最高,品质最好。     

Application of the CSM-CERES-Maize model for planting date evaluation and yield forecasting for maize grown off-season in a subtropical environment

In recent years, maize has become one of the main alternative crops for the Autumn–Winter growing season (off-season) in several regions of Brazil. Water deficits, sub-optimum temperatures and low solar radiation levels are some of the more common problems that are experienced during this growing season. However, the impact of variable weather conditions on crop production can be analyzed with crop simulation models. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Maize for its ability to simulate growth, development, grain yield for four different maturity maize hybrids grown off-season in a subtropical region of Brazil, to study the impact of different planting dates on maize performance under rainfed and irrigated conditions, and for yield forecasting for the most common off-season production system. The CSM-CERES-Maize model was evaluated with experimental data collected during three field experiments conducted in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. The experiments were completely randomized with three replications for the 2001 experiment and four replications for the 2002 experiments. For the yield forecasting application, daily weather data for 2002 were used until the forecast date, complemented with 25 years of historical daily weather data for the remainder of the growing season. Six planting dates were simulated, starting on February 1 and repeated every 15 days until April 15. The evaluation of the CSM-CERES-Maize showed that the model was able to simulate phenology and grain yield for the four hybrids accurately, with normalized RMSE (expressed in percentage) less than 15%. The planting date analysis showed that a delayed planting date from February 1 to April 15 caused a decrease in average yield of 55% for the rainfed and 21% for the irrigated conditions for all hybrids. The yield forecasting analysis demonstrated that an accurate yield forecast could be provided at approximately 45 days prior to the harvest date for all four maize hybrids. These results are promising for farmers and decision makers, as they could have access to accurate yield forecasts prior to final harvest. However, to be able to make practical decisions for stock management of maize grains, it is necessary to develop this methodology for different locations. Future model evaluations might also be needed due to the release of new cultivars by breeders.