Changes In Agronomic Traits Research Articles

Genome-wide association analysis of plant architecture traits using doubled haploid lines derived from different cycles of the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic maize population.

Selection in the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) maize population for high yield, grain moisture, and root and stalk lodging has indirectly modified plant architecture traits that are important for adaptation to high plant density. In this study, we developed doubled haploid (DH) lines from the BSSS maize population in the earliest cycle of recurrent selection (BSSS), cycle 17 of reciprocal recurrent selection, [BSSS(R)17] and the cross between the two cycles [BSSS/BSSS(R)C17]. We aimed to determine the phenotypic variation and changes in agronomic traits that have occurred through the recurrent selection program in this population and to identify genes or regions in the genome associated with the plant architecture changes observed in the different cycles of selection. We conducted a per se evaluation of DH lines focusing on high heritability traits important for adaptation to high planting density and grain yield. Trends for reducing flowering time, anthesis-silking interval, ear height, and the number of primary tassel branches in BSSS(R)17 DH lines compared to BSSS and BSSS/BSSS(R)C17 DH lines were observed. Additionally, the BSSS(R)C17 DH lines showed more upright flag leaf angles. Using the entire panel of DH lines increased the number of SNP markers identified within candidate genes associated with plant architecture traits. The genomic regions identified for plant architecture traits in this study may help to elucidate the genetic basis of these traits and facilitate future work about marker-assisted selection or map-based cloning in maize breeding programs.

Overexpression of Rice Histone H1 Gene Reduces Tolerance to Cold and Heat Stress.

Temperature stresses, including low- and high-temperature stresses, are the main abiotic stresses affecting rice yield. Due to global climate change, the impact of temperature pressure on rice yield is gradually increasing, which is also a major concern for researchers. In this study, an H1 histone in Oryza sativa (OsHis1.1, LOC_Os04g18090) was cloned, and its role in rice's response to temperature stresses was functionally characterized. The GUS staining analysis of OsHis1.1 promoter-GUS transgenic rice showed that OsHis1.1 was widely expressed in various rice tissues. Transient expression demonstrated that OsHis1.1 was localized in the nucleus. The overexpression of OsHis1.1 reduces the tolerance to temperature stress in rice by inhibiting the expression of genes that are responsive to heat and cold stress. Under stress conditions, the POD activity and chlorophyll and proline contents of OsHis1.1-overexpression rice lines were significantly lower than those of the wild type, while the malondialdehyde content was higher than that of the wild type. Compared with Nip, OsHis1.1-overexpression rice suffered more serious oxidative stress and cell damage under temperature stress. Furthermore, OsHis1.1-overexpression rice showed changes in agronomic traits.

Multi-generation study of heavy ion beam-induced mutations and agronomic trait variations to accelerate rice breeding.

Heavy ion beam (HIB) is an effective physical mutagen that has been widely used in plant mutational breeding. Systemic knowledge of the effects caused by different HIB doses at developmental and genomic levels will facilitate efficient breeding for crops. Here we examined the effects of HIB systematically. Kitaake rice seeds were irradiated by ten doses of carbon ion beams (CIB, 25 - 300 Gy), which is the most widely used HIB. We initially examined the growth, development and photosynthetic parameters of the M1 population and found that doses exceeding 125 Gy caused significant physiological damages to rice. Subsequently, we analyzed the genomic variations in 179 M2 individuals from six treatments (25 - 150 Gy) via whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The mutation rate peaks at 100 Gy (2.66×10-7/bp). Importantly, we found that mutations shared among different panicles of the same M1 individual are at low ratios, validating the hypothesis that different panicles may be derived from different progenitor cells. Furthermore, we isolated 129 mutants with distinct phenotypic variations, including changes in agronomic traits, from 11,720 M2 plants, accounting for a 1.1% mutation rate. Among them, about 50% possess stable inheritance in M3. WGS data of 11 stable M4 mutants, including three lines with higher yields, reveal their genomic mutational profiles and candidate genes. Our results demonstrate that HIB is an effective tool that facilitates breeding, that the optimal dose range for rice is 67 - 90% median lethal dose (LD50), and that the mutants isolated here can be further used for functional genomic research, genetic analysis, and breeding.

Effects of agronomic traits and climatic factors on yield and yield stability of summer maize (Zea mays L) in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in China.

Zhengdan 958 (ZD958) is the summer maize variety with the widest planting area in Huang-Huai-Hai plain in the past 20 years. Understanding the agronomic characteristics of maize and its adaptability to climatic factors is of great significance for breeding maize varieties with high yield and stability. In this study, the experimental data of 33 experimental stations from 2005 to 2015 were analyzed to clarify the effects of different agronomic traits on yield and the correlation between agronomic traits, and to understand the effects of different climatic factors on summer maize yield and agronomic traits. The results showed that the average yield of ZD958 was 9.20t ha-1, and the yield variation coefficient was 13.41%. There was a certainly negative correlation between high yield and high stability. Plant heights, ear heights, double ear rate, ear length, ear rows, line grain number, grain number per ear, ear diameter, cob diameter, and 1000 grains weight were significantly positive correlation with maize yield. Solar radiation before and after silking were significantly positive correlation with maize yield. Path analysis showed that changes in agronomic traits accounted for 54% of the yield variation, and changes in climate factors accounted for 26% of the yield variation. Our study showed that higher plant height, ear height, grain number per ear and 1000-grain weight, lower lodging rate, pour the discount rate and shorter bald tip long were the main reasons for high yield. Among the climatic factors, solar radiation and the lowest temperature have significant effects on the yield.

Combining Proteomics and Metabolomics to Analyze the Effects of Spaceflight on Rice Progeny.

Spaceflight is a special abiotic stress, the biological effect mechanism of which on contemporary rice has been clarified, However, its effect on offspring rice was still unclear. In order to understand the response mechanism of F2 generation plants to space flight, this study used SJ-10 recoverable satellite to carry DN423 rice seeds for 12.5 days in orbit flight. After returning to the ground, the plants were then planted to F2 generation to explore the biological effect mechanism. Our research showed that in the F2 generation of TLS, the rice plant height of the space flight group increased by 33.8%, the ear length and thousand-grain weight decreased by 9.7 and 4.6%, respectively, and the grain number per panicle increased by 6.5%. Moreover, related proteins that control changes in agronomic traits have been identified. The changes of MDA, H2O2, soluble sugar, electron leakage and antioxidant enzyme activity confirmed the stress response in F2 generation plants. ITRAQ and LC-MS technology were used to reveal the change pattern of protein levels and metabolite levels in F2 generation plants, 389 and 405 proteins were identified as differentially abundant proteins in TLS and TS, respectively. In addition, there were 124 and 125 metabolites that changed during these two periods. The proteome and metabolome result further confirmed that the F2 generation plants still retained the memory of space flight stress, and retained the memory of space flight stress through genome instability. Oxidative stress signals activated sugar signals to rebuild metabolic networks to adapt to space flight stress. The reconstruction of energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism played an important role in the process of adapting to space flight stress. The results of this study broaden the perspective of space biological effects and provide a basis for studying the effects of abiotic stress on plant progeny.

Overexpression of Soybean GmWRI1a Stably Increases the Seed Oil Content in Soybean

WRINKLED1 (WRI1), an APETALA2/ethylene-responsive-element-binding protein (AP2/EREBP) subfamily transcription factor, plays a crucial role in the transcriptional regulation of plant fatty acid biosynthesis. In this study, GmWRI1a was overexpressed in the soybean cultivar ‘Dongnong 50’ using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to generate three transgenic lines with high seed oil contents. PCR and Southern blotting analysis showed that the T-DNA was inserted into the genome at precise insertion sites and was stably inherited by the progeny. Expression analysis using qRT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that GmWRI1a and bar driven by the CaMV 35S promoter were significantly upregulated in the transgenic plants at different developmental stages. Transcriptome sequencing results showed there were obvious differences in gene expression between transgenic line and transgenic receptor during seed developmental stages. KEGG analysis found that the differentially expressed genes mainly annotated to metabolic pathways, such as carbohydrated metabolism and lipid metabolism. A 2-year single-location field trial revealed that three transgenic lines overexpressing GmWRI1a (GmWRI1a-OE) showed a stable increase in seed oil content of 4.97–10.35%. Importantly, no significant effect on protein content and yield was observed. Overexpression of GmWRI1a changed the fatty acid composition by increasing the linoleic acid (C18:2) content and decreasing the palmitic acid (C16:0) content in the seed. The three GmWRI1a-OE lines showed no significant changes in agronomic traits. The results demonstrated that the three GmWRI1a overexpression lines exhibited consistent increases in seed oil content compared with that of the wild type and did not significantly affect the seed yield and agronomic traits. The genetic engineering of GmWRI1a will be an effective strategy for the improvement of seed oil content and value in soybean.

Inoculation of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) with the Endophyte Epichloë bromicola Affects Plant Growth, and the Microbial Community in Roots and Rhizosphere Soil.

Hordeum vulgare is an important source of feed and forage for livestock, and of food and drink for humans, but its utilization rate is lower than that of other cereal crops, thus it is crucial to improve barley agronomic traits and production. Epichloë bromicola is an endophyte that was isolated from wild barley (Hordeum brevisubulatum). Previous studies have found that Epichloë can indirectly influence the growth of host plants by affecting soil chemical characteristics, the microbial community, and by producing a range of secondary metabolites. However, underlying effects of Epichloë on the abundance and diversity of soil and root microbes have not been well-studied. In addition, there is a question regarding the relationship between endophyte-produced alkaloids and effects on the root and rhizosphere microbial communities. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in agronomic traits, nutritional properties, peramine, soil chemical and microbial community in the fourth generation of new barley symbionts EI (E. bromicola-infection) and EF (E. bromicola-free) in LQ+4 and LZ+4. We understand the plant height and biomass of EI in LZ+4 were significantly higher than those of EF. The HPLC analysis showed that the peramine content of EI in LQ+4 and LZ+4 was 0.085 and 0.1 mg/g, respectively. We compared the bacterial and fungal communities by analyzing the 16s rRNA (for bacteria) and ITS rDNA regions (for fungi). Our data revealed that the composition of fungal communities in rhizosphere soil of LZ+4 EI are higher than EF. In addition, the diversity and richness of fungal communities in root and rhizosphere soil of LQ+4 EI and LZ+4 EI are significantly higher than EF. Rhizosphere soil microbial community composition was higher than that in roots in LQ+4 and LZ+4. Peramine was significantly and positively correlated with the richness of the soil fungal community. Moreover, the principal component analysis (PCoA) results indicated that E. bromicola significantly influenced the community composition of root and rhizosphere soil microbes in both LQ+4 and LZ+4. Our results illustrate that E. bromicola can influence barley growth, peramine production and microbial communities associated with barley.

Genetic Gain in Yield and Associated Changes in Agronomic Traits in Wheat Cultivars Developed Between 1900 and 2016 for Irrigated Ecosystems of Northwestern Plain Zone of India.

Knowledge about the yield gain over the years due to associated changes in the yield component traits is essential for a critical understanding of yield-limiting factors. To estimate genetic gain in grain yield (GY) and component agronomic traits of wheat varieties released between 1900 and 2016 for northwestern plain zone (NWPZ) of India and to identify agronomic and/or genetic basis of the realized gains, two sets of wheat varieties comprising mega varieties and two recently developed varieties were evaluated under timely sown, tilled, and early sown conservation agriculture (CA) conditions for four consecutive years under irrigated conditions. The average annual genetic gain in GY since 1,905 under timely sown irrigated conditions was found to be 0.544% yr−1 over the average of all varieties and 0.822% yr−1 (24.27 kg ha−1 yr−1) over the first released variety, NP4. The realized mean yield increased from 2,950 kg ha−1 of the variety NP4 released in 1,905–5,649 kg ha−1 of HD3086 released in 2014. Regression analysis revealed a linear reduction in height and peduncle length (PL) over the years with a simultaneous and linear increase in biomass at the rate of 43.9 kg ha−1 yr−1 or relatively at 0.368% yr−1 mainly because of delayed heading and increased crop duration. Regression analysis showed no linear trend for tiller number and thousand-grain weight (TGW). Though harvest index (HI) was found to linearly increase relatively at the rate of 0.198% per annum, polynomial regression improved the fitness of data with the indication of no increase in HI since 1982. Interestingly, genetic gain evaluation under early sown CA conditions for 4 years showed similar relative gain (RG) [a relative improvement in varieties across breeding periods (BP)] (0.544% yr−1) but with a higher absolute value (29.28 kg ha−1 yr−1). Major mega varieties like Kalyan Sona, HD2009, PBW 343, HD2967, and HD3086, which occupied a comparatively larger area, were found highly plastic to the improvements in the production environment under timely sown conditions.

Identifikasi Perubahan Karakter Agronomis Padi Transgenik Penanda Aktivasi cv. Asemandi Generasi T1

<p>The activation-tagged populations of transgenic rice cv.<br />Asemandi have been developed by introducing construct of<br />activation taq Ac/Ds into rice genom of cv. Asemandi. The T1<br />transgenic rice populations cv. Asemandi containing<br />construct of activation taq have been obtained and needed<br />to be characterized. This study aimed to identify the Basta<br />herbicide resistant plants, transgenic plants containing hpt<br />and bar genes, and changes in agronomic traits. Basta<br />resistant plant was identified by treating leaf with basta<br />solution. Hpt and bar genes were detected by PCR using<br />specific primers. Phenotype characters were identified by<br />observing and measuring their agronomic parameters. The<br />study results showed that out of 315 rice transgenic cv.<br />Asemandi T1 treated with Basta solution, 176 (55.87%) plants<br />were indicated to be resistant to Basta. The results of PCR<br />analysis revealed that eight rice transgenic cv. Asemandi<br />tested contained both hpt and bar genes. In general,<br />compared to the nontransgenic plants, there were changes<br />in several agronomic parameters of T1 transgenic plants cv.<br />Asemandi, including plant height, days to flowering, days to<br />harvesting, periods of grain filling, and weight of 100 grains.<br />Correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation<br />between days of harvesting to weight of 100 grains in<br />transgenic rice, but there was correlation in nontransgenic<br />rice. Transgenic rice plants cv. Asemandi with changes in<br />the agronomic characters will be useful for further study,<br />such as to analyze the function of the genes.</p>

Genetic gains for grain yield in high latitude spring wheat grown in Western Siberia in 1900–2008

Short season high latitude (50°N–56°N) spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is grown on approximately 7 million ha in Western Siberia with average yield of 1.5–2.0 t/ha. A historical set of 47 varieties developed and grown in the region between 1900 and 2000 was evaluated at a trial in Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture (Omsk) in 2002–2008. The genetic gains for grain yield and associated changes in agronomic traits were analyzed for three maturity groups (early, medium and late) and four breeding periods (before 1930, 1950–1975, 1976–1985 and after 1985). The overall yield was 3.71 t/ha for modern varieties versus 2.18 t/ha for old varieties representing 0.7% increase per year in the course of 100 years. The genetic gains between the breeding periods indicated that the rate of progress for the early and medium maturity groups was more or less comparable from one breeding period to the other. For the late maturity group there was an obvious and sharp decline in genetic gain with time. Modern varieties were also characterized by average response to environmental mean and good grain yield stability evaluated according to Eberhart and Russell (1966). Thousand kernel weight and number of grains per unit area were linearly correlated with grain yield and genetic gain over time suggested their importance for breeding progress. Resistance to leaf rust in some modern varieties sustained and contributed to stability of genetic gains. The yield increase over time was not associated with plant height reduction and incorporation of Rht genes. The maturity range of the newer varieties is narrower compared to old germplasm as they tend to belong to medium maturity group. Translocation 1B.1R had limited contribution to Western Siberian germplasm being observed in only three varieties. The increase in adaptation, yield potential and its stability has been reached due to gradual accumulation of favorable genes through diverse crosses, robust selection and testing system. Resistance to leaf rust and other prevalent pathogens is of paramount importance for future progress.

Genomic polymorphism in consecutive generation rice plants from seeds on board a spaceship and their relationship with space HZE particles

Dry rice seeds (Oryza sativa, subspecies indica) were sandwiched between nuclear track detectors, aboard the Chinese spaceship Shenzhou-3 for seven days. The seeds were recovered and the genomic polymorphism in 201 plants developed from these seeds was studied using random amplified polymorphism DNA analysis. When compared with plants from ground-based control seeds, the genomic polymorphic bands were amplified in 30.2% of the plants from the seeds exposed in space. The results for sequencing and SNP analyses of the polymorphic bands verified the single nucleotide variations in these plants. Genomic polymorphisms in the consecutive generations of individual plants of the seeds from space were also discovered. Seven seeds receiving hits of HZE (high atomic number and high energy) particles from space were selected for further analyses and variable genomic polymorphisms were detected in all plants that developed from these seeds. Among them, the embryos of three seeds were hit at least once, and mutants with significant changes in agronomic traits were only found in later generations of these seeds. This result implies that the HZE particles of space are effective in inducing the changes of plant genome of inherited phenotypes.

Changes in agronomic traits of sunflower hybrids over 20 years of breeding in central Argentina

This paper applies linear mixed model and pattern analyses to 122 on-farm trials of commercial and near-commercial sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids grown over 15 years in 32 locations of central Argentina to determine the contributions of change in characteristics of germplasm pools to increases in oil yield. The ‘Relative Peak Performance’ (best linear unbiased predictors, BLUPs) of 49 hybrids released for the conventional market between 1983 and 2005 showed genetic gains of 11.9 kg ha −1 year −1, 0.19% year −1 and 16.1 kg ha −1 year −1 for oil yield, grain-oil concentration and grain yield, respectively. Oil yield improvement was consistent across three market segments and a biplot of genotype-by-attribute BLUPs summarised 20 years of breeding to demonstrate how the merging of two germplasm pools of differing maturity, achene type and grain-oil concentration resulted in step-wise improvements in grain yield and grain-oil concentration and a move toward an intermediate maturity. The analysis of general combining ability within a breeding program shows that the female and male germplasm pools were improved in different ways over time. On the female side, much of this improvement was to encompass different combinations of the determining traits of oil yield, while on the male side the improvement was more linear in terms of exploitation of genotypic variance for oil yield per se.

Changes in agronomic traits affected by photoperiod and vernalization in a group of wild barley accessions (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum) and barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The effect of vernalization response and photoperiod sensitivity on reproductive fitness and agronomic traits was examined in a group of 16 H. spontaneum accessions and 8 H. vulgare cultivars in controlled environments. The whole range of plant developmental and agronomic traits was determined by vernalization. The reproductive fitness was severely impaired when the vernalization requirements of the plants were not saturated. Variation in the magnitude of vernalization response significantly correlated with several traits. A larger decrease in reproductive tiller number, average seed number and consequently final grain yield was more characteristic of accessions with a greater vernalization response. When the vernalization requirement was met, long photoperiod enhanced the fitness of the plants and resulted in larger yield and yield components, irrespective of the genotype, while short photoperiod acted as a limiting factor for all these traits. There was, however, a difference in the reaction type of wild and cultivated genotypes due to their different plant strategies.

Agronomic Changes from 58 Years of Genetic Improvement of Short‐Season Soybean Cultivars in Canada

Yield progress of short‐season soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars in Canada has been approximately 0.5% per year since the early 1930s. Our objective was to identify changes in agronomic traits associated with yield increase within a selection of historical cultivars. Where applicable, we measured phenotypic stability of these traits. At Ottawa, ON, we grew 14 cultivars, representing seven decades of breeding and selection (1934–1992), in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, across 6 yr. Data were collected on seed yield, seed weight, plant height, plant population, lodging susceptibility, and foliar disease symptoms. Seed number per plant was calculated from yield, seed weight, and plant population. Seed protein and oil concentration were measured. The increase in seed yield with year of release was associated with a significant increase in the number of seeds produced per plant. There was no relationship between seed yield and seed weight. A significant decrease in seed protein concentration with year of release was offset by a significant increase in seed oil concentration. Newer cultivars were more phenotypically stable for plant height than older cultivars. Modern cultivars were more efficient at establishing, supporting, and filling seeds on a per‐plant basis than older cultivars.

Responses to Selection for Endosperm Hardness and Associated Changes in Agronomic Traits after Four Cycles of Recurrent Selection in Maize

Increased endosperm hardness of grain in maize (Zea mays L.) is desirable for dry milling, storage, and expert purposes. This study was conducted to evaluate changes in endosperm hardness resulting from four cycles of visual recurrent selection for increased hardness in two dent corn synthetics representative of U.S. Corn Belt germplasm, and to determine associated responses in other agronomic traits. Testcrosses of random S1 lines from each cycle of selection were grown in replicated trials at four locations in each of 2 yr for determination of grain hardness and evaluation of agronomic traits. Evaluation of grain hardness was through measurement of average kernel density and the Stenvert hardness test. Significant increase in endosperm hardness was limited to the first cycle of selection in both synthetics. No significant changes corresponding to altered endosperm hardness were detected for any of five agronomic traits measured in testcross hybrids from S1 lines representing each cycle of selection. Estimated genetic correlation coefficients indicated a negative, nonsignificant trend between grain yield and grain hardness. These results indicate increases in grain hardness can be achieved through selection in dent corn germplasm common to the U.S. Corn Belt. However, continual progress in recurrent selection may require quantification of hardness by measurements such as kernel density and the Stenvert hardness test, rather than simple visual judgment of relative hardness. Genetic correlation coefficients indicate selection progress can be simultaneously made for both grain yield and grain quality.

Changes in Agronomic Traits Associated with Recurrent Selection in Two Maize Synthetics

The agronomic performance of two maize (Zea mays L.) synthetics, BSAA and BSBB, was investigated following four cycles of S1 recurrent selection for resistance to first‐generation European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) (ECB) and Diplodia (Diplodia maydis (Berk.) Sacc.) stalk rot (DSR). The original and four improved cycle populations (CO–C4), their crosses to a single‐cross tester, crosses between synthetics, and three single‐cross checks were evaluated in five Iowa environments. Artificial infestations of ECB and inoculations of D. maydis were used to assess the ability of genetic resistance to reduce yield losses. Highly significant grain yield reductions were observed in both synthetics per se and averaged 20% from the C0 to the C4 in the absence of disease or insect pressure. Ear length was the main component contributing to grain yield reductions. Changes toward earlier pollen date were closely associated with reductions in plant height observed in both synthetics. The level of resistance achieved in the improved populations of BSBB was sufficient to prevent grain yield losses caused by ECB infestations and D. maydis inoculations relative to a control treatment. Additional genetic studies suggested that the response of most of the agronomic traits evaluated was associated with allelic frequency changes resulting from selection. Inbreeding depression caused by random genetic drift played a small role in most traits, with the exception of grain yield in BSBB.

Correlated Changes in Agronomic Traits from S1‐line Recurrent Selection for Cold Tolerance in Two Maize Populations1

Cold tolerance is an aggregate trait important to dependable stand establishment in many environments. Selection for improved cold tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm, however, must not deter improvement of traits that are important later in the growing season. Correlated changes in agronomic traits due to five cycles of S1‐line recurrent selection for cold tolerance were evaluated in two maize populations. Correlated changes in means were expressed in terms of changes in allelic frequency due to pleiotropy or linkage and drift. Selection was associated with correlated genetic changes (2Δpα) grain yield [0.22 Mg ha‐1 cycle‐1 when averaged over both BS13(SCT) and BSSS2(SCT)], grain moisture (‐0.3% cycle‐1), early stand count (0.7 plants plot‐1 cycle‐1), and final stand (387.4 plants ha‐1 cycle‐1). Root lodging resistance was increased 2.5% cycle‐1 in BS13(SCT) and decreased 2.0% cycle‐1 in BSSS2(SCT). Stalk lodging resistance decreased 0.40% cycle‐1 in BS13(SCT). The increased frequencies of pleiotropic or linked genes controlling grain yield and grain moisture were expressed at both early and normal planting dates. The correlated genetic changes in early stand count, final stand, and root and stalk lodging resistance were influenced by date of planting. Genetic drift (2Δp2d) was significant for grain yield (‐0.23 Mg ha‐1 cycle‐1). Genetic drift overwhelmed the increase in allelic frequency due to selection for grain yield; hence, the populations per se were unchanged. The data suggesthat selection for cold tolerance with larger effective population sizes may result in correlated improvements in yield of the populations per se.

Effects of Population Density upon Agronomic Traits Associated with Genetic Increases in Yield of Zea mays L.1

AbstractSeveral long term recurrent selection programs with strains of Zea mays L., which were initiated from one to three decades ago, are being carried out at plant densities considerably below those currently used in commercial production. The question arises whether responses realized at low plant densities will be maintained at higher plant densities. We chose to study strains from a selection program initiated three decades ago, in which 10 cycles of full‐sib family selection have been completed at a density of 24,000 plants per hectare. A study was conducted to characterize changes in agronomic traits of corn resulting from recurrent selection for yield when evaluated at 24,710, 38,300, and 49,420 plants per hectare. Comparisons were made among the original strain and strains resulting from the fifth (C6) and 10th (C10) selection cycles.The improved strains, C5 and C10, averaged 27 and 42% more yield than the original strain. Important increases in prolificacy, ear corn/stover ratio, and total N accumulation in the grain were found to accompany the increases in yield due to selection. Increased population density resulted in greater yields per hectare in the improved strains. Interactions between strain and density were not statistically significant.Both ear height and top height increased with selection, but leaf size and ear weight appeared to have decreased. Decreases were also noted in percent N in the grain and the stover.