Corn yield components can be stabilized via tillering in sub-optimal plant densities

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology
• Crop Science

Background:

• Crop plasticity is crucial for sustainable agriculture, but mechanisms in corn (Zea mays L.) are masked by breeding and density management.
• Tiller expression offers plasticity in cereals, yet its impact on corn yield formation is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the consequences of tiller expression on corn yield component determination.
• To analyze corn plasticity from main stalk and comprehensive (main stalk + tillers) perspectives.

Main Methods:

• Conducted multi-seasonal field trials across 17 site-years in Kansas, USA.
• Evaluated tiller presence (intact or removed) in two corn hybrids at three plant densities (25,000-60,000 plants/ha).
• Recorded ears, kernels per area, and kernel weight for main stalks and tillers separately.

Main Results:

• Tiller contributions significantly influenced yield component plasticity.
• Ear number and kernel number per area showed less dependence on plant density, with kernel number crucial for yield stability.
• Tiller axillary ears were stronger yield predictors than main stalk secondary ears in high-yielding conditions.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing main stalk primary ears and plant density is generally desirable for maximum yield.
• Tiller expression offers a pathway to reduce reliance on precise, seasonally variable plant density management in corn production.