Weak border effects and great uniformity increase yield of maize (Zea mays) under dense population
Guangzhou Liu A , Guoqiang Zhang A , Peng Hou
A D , Yuee Liu B , Jian Li C , Bo Ming A , Ruizhi Xie A , Keru Wang A and Shaokun Li A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China.
B Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China.
C State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, Henan 455000, China.
D Corresponding authors. Emails: lishaokun@caas.cn; houpeng@caas.cn
Crop and Pasture Science 71(7) 653-659 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP19486
Submitted: 22 November 2019 Accepted: 23 May 2020 Published: 13 June 2020
Abstract
The effects of uniformity in border rows and population structure on the yield of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) grown at high planting density was studied in field experiments at Qitai Farm (89°34′E, 44°12′N), Xinjiang, China, during 2013 and 2014. The experiments incorporated a planting density of 12.0 plants m–2 and three maize cultivars (M753, LY66, LD565). Border effects and uniformity in the border rows were studied at the silking and maturity stages. Yields of M753, LY66 and LD565 were 16.46, 15.02 and 11.45 Mg ha–1, respectively. Analysis of yield components in border rows indicated that the number of kernels per ear, 1000-kernel weight and yield per plant of M753 stopped decreasing after the second row in the border, whereas those of LY66 and LD565 stopped decreasing after the third row in the border, demonstrating a stronger border effect. The cultivars intercepted >95% of the light, but light transmission was lower for M753 than for LY66 and LD565, which resulted in the highest light interception in the upper canopy layers of M753. Analysis of uniformity in the border rows showed that the uniformity values for plant height, ear height, stem diameter, number of kernels per ear, 1000-kernel weight and yield per plant were higher for M753 than for LY66 and LD565. For the three cultivars, uniformity values could be ranked in the order plant height > ear height > stem diameter. The results suggest that cultivars with weaker border effects and greater uniformity in border rows can produce higher yields when grown at a high planting density.
Additional keywords: high yield, margin effects.
References
Bavec F, Bavec M (2002) Effects of plant population on leaf area index, cob characteristics and grain yield of early maturing maize cultivars (FAO 100–400). European Journal of Agronomy 16, 151–159.| Effects of plant population on leaf area index, cob characteristics and grain yield of early maturing maize cultivars (FAO 100–400).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bian SF, Zhao HX, Meng XM, Fang XQ, Tan GB, Zhang LH, Yang FT, Yan WP (2008) Study on the relationship between the ear characteristic uniformity and yield of super high-yielding corn. Journal of Maize Sciences 16, 119–122.
Bijma P, Muir WM, Van Arendonk JA (2007) Multilevel selection 1: quantitative genetics of inheritance and response to selection. Genetics 175, 277–288.
| Multilevel selection 1: quantitative genetics of inheritance and response to selection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17110494PubMed |
Boomsma CR, Santini JB, Tollenaar M, Vyn TJ (2009) Maize morphophysiological responses to intense crowding and low nitrogen availability: an analysis and review. Agronomy Journal 101, 1426–1452.
| Maize morphophysiological responses to intense crowding and low nitrogen availability: an analysis and review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cao XC, Hou TR, Zhang GG, Li XJ (1996) Research of the relationship between plant height uniformity and ear traits in maize. Journal of Maize Sciences 4, 62–64.
Cao DM, Fang JY, Cao PY (2013) Influence on reality yield in corn variety test trial of marginal utility of row end. Crops, 122–125.
Chang H (1985) Relationship between field uniformity and yield in maize. Shandong Agricultural Sciences, 16–20.
Chen YH, Yu SL, Yu ZW (1999) Study on the edge effect in wheat. Journal of Shandong Agricultural University 30, 431–435.
Duvick DN (2005) The contribution of breeding to yield advances in maize (Zea mays L.). Advances in Agronomy 86, 83–145.
| The contribution of breeding to yield advances in maize (Zea mays L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Duvick DN, Smith JSC, Cooper M (2004) Long-term selection in a commercial hybrid maize breeding program. Plant Breeding Reviews 24, 109–151.
e Silva PSL, e Silva KMB, e Silva PIB, de Sousa Nunes GH (2004) Border effect due to plants removal from maize plots. Revista Ceres 51, 201–214.
Fan JS (1994) Marginal effect index and its application on the selection of high density tolerance maize. Journal of Maize Sciences 2, 9–11.
Fan JS, Yan SQ, Ma BX, Li DX, Lian YL, Liu HY, Sun SW (2002) Study on the density-resistant property of maize and breeding its varieties. Journal of Maize Sciences 10, 50–51.
Fan GQ, Li JG, Wang XF, Zheng T, Guo X, Chen Y, Wu ZW, Yang WY (2012) Lodging resistance of winter wheat in response to nitrogen and planting density and border effect under relay intercropping condition. Acta Agronomica Sinica 38, 1307–1317.
| Lodging resistance of winter wheat in response to nitrogen and planting density and border effect under relay intercropping condition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
FAO (2019) The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2019: safeguarding against economic slowdowns and downturns. Report from FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. Available at: http://www.fao.org /state-of-food-security-nutrition/zh
Gomez KA, De Datta SK (1971) Border effects in rice experimental plots. I. Unplanted borders. Experimental Agriculture 7, 87–92.
| Border effects in rice experimental plots. I. Unplanted borders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gong DP, Lin HJ (1995) Marginal effect of variety test plot and its effect on the accuracy of test in barley. Barley Science, 33–35.
Gu WL, Dai JY, Liu JM, Li YH (1984) Relationship between field uniformity and yield in maize. Liaoning Agricultural Sciences, 9–13.
Guo ZX, Zhang ZW, Wang QX (2017) Study on wheat marginal superiority and its effect on selection of breeding. Journal of Shanxi Agricultural Sciences 45, 1405–1407.
Hou AM, Meng CX, Yang XW, Wang XQ (2003) Research of uniformity of main agronomic characters and yield in maize. Journal of Maize Sciences 11, 62–65.
Hou P, Gao Q, Xie RZ, Li SK, Meng QF, Kirkby EA, Romheld V, Muller T, Zhang FS, Cui ZL, Chen XP (2012) Grain yields in relation to N requirement: optimizing nitrogen management for spring maize grown in China. Field Crops Research 129, 1–6.
| Grain yields in relation to N requirement: optimizing nitrogen management for spring maize grown in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huang RD, Li GQ (1995) Plant height consistencies in maize population and a comparison of their measuring techniques. Journal of Maize Sciences 3, 61–63.
Huang JK, Pray C, Rozelle S (2002) Enhancing the crops to feed the poor. Nature 418, 678–684.
| Enhancing the crops to feed the poor.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jiao HY, Sun HK, Yang MZ, Shi MS, Wang L (2008) Study on marginal effect caused by illumination through the difference between the marginal plants of south and north maize fields. Journal of Hebei Agricultural Sciences 12, 6–11.
Kong XL, Zhou XR (2002) Research on marginal effect of corn experimental plot Seed 41–42.
Li SK, Wang CT (2010) ‘Potential and ways to high yield in maize.’ Ch. 3. pp. 218–272. (Science Press: Beijing)
Li L, Sun JH, Zhang FS, Li XL, Yang SC, Rengel Z (2001) Wheat/maize or wheat/soybean strip intercropping. I. Yield advantage and interspecific interactions on nutrients. Field Crops Research 71, 123–137.
| Wheat/maize or wheat/soybean strip intercropping. I. Yield advantage and interspecific interactions on nutrients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu WR, Zheng JY, Feng YC, Liu FC, Luo Y, Liu ZQ, Shen HB, Wang XJ, Zhang XS (2005) The quality effect of different densities of elite maize variety. Journal of Maize Sciences 13, 99–101.
Liu GZ, Hou P, Xie RZ, Ming B, Wang KR, Xu WJ, Liu WM, Yang YS, Li SK (2017) Canopy characteristics of high-yield maize with yield potential of 22.5 Mg ha-1. Field Crops Research 213, 221–230.
| Canopy characteristics of high-yield maize with yield potential of 22.5 Mg ha-1.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu GZ, Hou P, Xie RZ, Ming B, Wang KR, Liu WM, Yang YS, Xu WJ, Chen JL, Li SK (2019) Nitrogen uptake and response to radiation distribution in the canopy of high-yield maize. Crop Science 59, 1236–1247.
| Nitrogen uptake and response to radiation distribution in the canopy of high-yield maize.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Long SP, Zhu X, Naidu SL, Ort DR (2006) Can improvement in photosynthesis increase crop yields? Plant, Cell & Environment 29, 315–330.
| Can improvement in photosynthesis increase crop yields?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ma DL, Xie RZ, Niu XK, Li SK, Long HL, Liu YE (2014) Changes in the morphological traits of maize genotypes in China between the 1950s and 2000s. European Journal of Agronomy 58, 1–10.
| Changes in the morphological traits of maize genotypes in China between the 1950s and 2000s.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maddonni GA, Otegui ME, Cirilo AG (2001a) Plant population density, row spacing and hybrid effects on maize canopy architecture and light attenuation. Field Crops Research 71, 183–193.
| Plant population density, row spacing and hybrid effects on maize canopy architecture and light attenuation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maddonni GA, Chelle M, Drouet JL, Andrieu B (2001b) Light interception of contrasting azimuth canopies under square and rectangular plant spatial distributions: simulations and crop measurements. Field Crops Research 70, 1–13.
| Light interception of contrasting azimuth canopies under square and rectangular plant spatial distributions: simulations and crop measurements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mann CC (1999) Crop scientists seek a new revolution. Science 283, 310–314.
| Crop scientists seek a new revolution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mason S, Galusha T, Kmail Z (2018) Planting date influence on yield of drought tolerant maize with different maturity classifications. Agronomy Journal 110, 293–299.
| Planting date influence on yield of drought tolerant maize with different maturity classifications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mason S, Kmall Z, Galusha T, Jukic Ž (2019) Path analiza prinosa hibrida kukuruza tolerantnih na sušu I komponente prinosa s obzirom na datum sjetve. Journal of Central European Agriculture 20, 194–207.
| Path analiza prinosa hibrida kukuruza tolerantnih na sušu I komponente prinosa s obzirom na datum sjetve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meng QF, Hou P, Wu L, Chen XP, Cui ZL, Zhang FS (2013) Understanding production potentials and yield gaps in intensive maize production in China. Field Crops Research 143, 91–97.
| Understanding production potentials and yield gaps in intensive maize production in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meng QF, Cui ZL, Yang HS, Zhang FS, Chen XP (2018) Establishing high-yielding maize system for sustainable intensification in China. Advances in Agronomy 148, 85–109.
| Establishing high-yielding maize system for sustainable intensification in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Milander L, Jukic Z, Mason S, Glausha T, Kmail Z (2016) Plant population influence on maize yield components in Croatia and Nebraska. Crop Science 56, 2742–2750.
| Plant population influence on maize yield components in Croatia and Nebraska.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Milander L, Jukic Ž, Mason S, Galusha T, Kmall Z (2017) Hybrid maturity influence on maize yield and yield component response to plant population in Croatia and Nebraska. Cereal Research Communications 45, 326–335.
| Hybrid maturity influence on maize yield and yield component response to plant population in Croatia and Nebraska.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Novacek MJ, Mason SC, Galusha TD, Yaseen M (2013) Twin rows minimally impact irrigated maize yield, morphology, lodging. Agronomy Journal 105, 268–276.
| Twin rows minimally impact irrigated maize yield, morphology, lodging.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Novacek MJ, Mason SC, Galusha TD, Yaseen M (2014) Bt transgenes minimally influence maize grain yield and lodging across plant populations. Maydica 59, 90–95.
Ou XQ, Ren XJ, Li XH, Ou YJ (2019) Effects of side-row marginal advantage and inner-row performance on plot yield and yield components of wheat. Crops, 97–102.
Russell WA (1991) Genetic improvement of maize yields. Advances in Agronomy 46, 245–298.
| Genetic improvement of maize yields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sangoi L (2001) Understanding plant density effects on maize growth and development: an important issue to maximize grain yield. Ciência Rural 31, 159–168.
| Understanding plant density effects on maize growth and development: an important issue to maximize grain yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sato K, Takahashi K (1983) An analysis of the border effect in the rice paddy fields. Japanese Journal of Crop Science 52, 168–176.
| An analysis of the border effect in the rice paddy fields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Song X, Song B, Qian XG (2011) Effect of uniformity on yield of maize. GuiZhou Agricultural Sciences 39, 49–51.
Sun YX, Zhu LX (1988) Research bulletin of the relationship between plant height uniformity and yield in maize. Crops 16–17.
Tester M, Langridge P (2010) Breeding technologies to increase crop production in a changing world. Science 327, 818–822.
| Breeding technologies to increase crop production in a changing world.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20150489PubMed |
Tokatlidis IS, Koutroubas SD (2004) A review of maize hybrids’ dependence on high plant populations and its implications for crop yield stability. Field Crops Research 88, 103–114.
| A review of maize hybrids’ dependence on high plant populations and its implications for crop yield stability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tollenaar M, Wu J (1999) Yield improvement in temperate maize is attributable to greater stress tolerance. Crop Science 39, 1597–1604.
| Yield improvement in temperate maize is attributable to greater stress tolerance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van Wart J, Kersebaum KC, Peng S, Milner M, Cassman KG (2013) Estimating crop yield potential at regional to national scales. Field Crops Research 143, 34–43.
| Estimating crop yield potential at regional to national scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang ZP, He DJ (1999) Simulation on marginal effect of rice experimental plot. Acta Agronomica Sinica 25, 105–108.
Wang YQ, Zhao ZG, Li JP, Zhang M, Zhou SL, Wang ZM, Zhang YH (2017a) Does maize hybrid intercropping increase yield due to border effects? Field Crops Research 214, 283–290.
| Does maize hybrid intercropping increase yield due to border effects?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang ZK, Zhao XN, Wu PT, Gao Y, Yang Q, Shen YY (2017b) Border row effects on light interception in wheat/maize strip intercropping systems. Field Crops Research 214, 1–13.
| Border row effects on light interception in wheat/maize strip intercropping systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Xu YR, Sun FM, Jiao RH, Hou ZY, Liu XE, Liu WR (2010) The influence analysis for the marginal of different varieties on maize yield. Journal of Maize Sciences 18, 85–87.
Xu H, Twine TE, Girvetz E (2016) Climate change and maize yield in Iowa. PLoS One 11, e0156083
| Climate change and maize yield in Iowa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27992597PubMed |
Xue J, Gou L, Zhao YS, Yao MN, Yao HS, Tian JS, Zhang WF (2016) Effects of light intensity within the canopy on maize lodging. Field Crops Research 188, 133–141.
| Effects of light intensity within the canopy on maize lodging.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yang LH, Zhang LH, Zhang QG, Yao YR, Jia XL, Ma RK (2006) Effect of row spacing pattern on yield and plant height uniformity. Journal of Maize Sciences 14, 122–124.
Zhai GQ, Chen YX, Tian FH (1998) Correlation analysis of field uniformity, yield per plant and population yield in maize. Journal of Maize Sciences 6, 52–55.
Zhai LC, Xie RZ, Ma DL, Liu GZ, Wang P, Li SK (2015) Evaluation of individual competitiveness and the relation between competitiveness and yield in maize. Crop Science 55, 2307–2318.
| Evaluation of individual competitiveness and the relation between competitiveness and yield in maize.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
