Corn Tiller Yield Contributions and Ear Development in Low Plant Densities

R Veenstra,D Berning,P V Prasad,S Wallace,L Haag,I A Ciampitti,C D Messina,M Legleiter

doi:10.4148/2378-5977.8074

Abstract

Research in modern corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids investigating tiller contributions and ear development at low plant densities is scarce, particularly in water-limited environments. To fill this research gap, a second season of replicated experiments was conducted in 2020 at 7 sites across Kansas (Keats, Buhler, Greensburg, Garden City, Goodland, and two sites in Colby) evaluating two common, tiller-prone corn hybrids (P0805AM and P0657AM) at three target plant density levels (10000, 17000, and 24000 plants/a). Five of the listed sites also considered a tillering factor (tiller removal at development stage V10 [tenth-leaf] or tiller maintenance). Seasonal phenology, partitioned grain yield, harvested ear type characterizations, and environmental conditions were recorded and analyzed to quantify tiller contributions in each site. Results showed that intact tillers had either no effect or were able to boost yields. In the best environments, tillers were able to successfully compensate for losses of 60% in plant density. Five of the seven tested sites produced approximately 50% of total harvested ears as desirable tiller lateral ears in the 10000 plants/a target plant density. The highest percentage of undesirable tiller tassel ear development in the 10000 plants/a density was 13%. Future research will seek to find explanations of the ear type relationships on a deeper level and predict tiller yield contributions considering various environments and ear development outcomes.

Highlights

Tiller prolificacy in corn has been deemed undesirable since the beginning of the species domestication process
A main concern of farmers, agronomists, and breeders alike with these secondary vegetative shoots is their inability to produce grain with consumed plant resources, earning corn tillers the common name, “suckers.” Modern corn hybrids are typically not tested by breeders at the very low plant populations employed in marginal environments, such as central and western dryland regions of Kansas
Full yields in Keats were only affected by tiller removal in the 10000 plants/a density with the P0805AM hybrid

Summary

Introduction

Tiller prolificacy in corn has been deemed undesirable since the beginning of the species domestication process. A main concern of farmers, agronomists, and breeders alike with these secondary vegetative shoots is their inability to produce grain with consumed plant resources, earning corn tillers the common name, “suckers.” Modern corn hybrids are typically not tested by breeders at the very low plant populations employed in marginal environments, such as central and western dryland regions of Kansas. In these areas, having plant densities under 20000 plants/a is a key management component in conserving available soil moisture. These development scenarios are likely key to understanding potential tiller contributions in various environments

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Results

Conclusion