Genotype by Cropping System Interactions in Maize Grown in a Short Season Environment1

Abstract

Broad adaptation for maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids is a goal of many plant breeders, but limited information is available on genotype by cropping system interactions. We studied the magnitude of this interaction in the western Panhandle region of Nebraska in a short‐season, dry environment where at present there is no location specific improvement program. Maize topcrosses were planted in two contrasting cropping systems with two locations per cropping system in 1980. Normal land preparation and irrigation was compared to ecofallow, a zero‐tillage cropping system used in the region to minimize water loss due to tillage, reduce production costs, and conserve soil resources. Significant effects of cropping system, location within cropping system, maize genotype, and genotype by cropping system were observed for days to flower, yield, and harvest moisture. The genotype by cropping system interactions in the topcrosses may have been due to differential effects of water level, soil temperature during the early part of the growth cycle, or some combination of these factors. Results suggest that maximum maize yields can be achieved in Nebraska by development of specific cultivars for each cropping system in distinct environments.