Short-stature maize systems reduce carbon intensity of grain production by an average of 13% compared to commercially...

The sustainable intensification of crop production provides more output with similar or fewer inputs, and therefore helps to produce food, feed, fiber, and fuel more efficiently. While short-stature maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids have been shown to be more climate resilient, with reductions in yield-scaled greenhouse gas production due to reduced crop damage during wind events, other aspects of the climate impact of short-stature maize remain to be quantified. Here we will discuss the use of the greenhouse gases, regulated emissions, and energy use in transportation life cycle assessment model and data inputs from 199 total site-years of grain yield data, 11 site-years of root data, and 10 site-years of stover nitrogen (N) data to determine the carbon (C) footprint of short-stature maize systems for grain production. Short-stature maize hybrids had comparable grain yields to tall comparators under standard management; however, leveraging benefits of the systems, such as in-season access, and higher plant populations improved the yield and efficiency of production. Root volume was increased by 39% for short-stature hybrids compared to tall hybrids. Across a range of agronomic system scenarios, that consider changes in plant density and improved in-season access for split-rate N application, and soil C dynamics, there is a range of greenhouse gas savings of 0.09-0.78 t CO₂e ha^-1 year^-1 for short-stature maize systems due to improvements in grain yield without increased inputs, reduction in stover N and subsequent N₂O emissions, and increased root dry matter incorporation into soil organic carbon.