Molecular breeding for improving yield in maize: recent advances and future perspectives.

Author(s):  
Mei-ping Zhang ◽  
Yun-Hua Liu ◽  
Hong-Bin Zhang

Abstract This chapter clarifies plant breeding and its underlying molecular basis, then reviews the molecular technologies that have been developed thus far for enhanced plant breeding, which are necessary to better understand the applications and perspectives of these molecular technologies for enhanced maize breeding. This chapter updates the recent advances of the molecular technologies for maize grain yield breeding in the past decade and compares these molecular technologies and underlines their perspectives for continued maize yield improvement.

Crop Science ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 718-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Martínez‐Barajas ◽  
C. Villanueva‐Verduzco ◽  
J. Molina‐Galán ◽  
H. Loza‐Tavera ◽  
E. Sánchez‐de‐Jiménez

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Luiza Privado Martins ◽  
Glécio Machado Siqueira ◽  
Emanoel Gomes de Moura ◽  
Raimunda Alves Silva ◽  
Anágila Janenis Cardoso Silva ◽  
...  

Soil fauna play an important role in ecosystems, and in this context, it is important to better understand how the abiotic and biotic drivers of these organisms interact. We hypothesize that soil fauna are affected by different soil management practices, which has an influence on maize grain yields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the structure of soil fauna under different soil management practices and their associations with maize grain yield. The experiment was conducted in Maranhão, Brazil, in an area divided into 24 plots of 4 × 10 m in a randomized block design with six treatments with four replicates (R). Pitfall traps were placed in the area. The treatments were Leucaena leucocephala-Leucaena (L), nitrogen (N), humic acid + nitrogen (HA + N), nitrogen + Leucaena (N + L), humic acid + Leucaena (HA + L) and humic acid + nitrogen + Leucaena (HA + N + L). The soil fauna dominance, abundance, richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Pielou evenness index and maize grain yield were determined. Formicidae was clearly affected by management with Leucaena, while Coleoptera was affected by management with nitrogen. Despite this, Isopoda and Diplura were the only groups associated with the maize yield. Although fauna abundance did not differ among treatments, it was related to the yield. This study confirms that the abundance and some taxa of soil fauna can influence yield and that these organisms can be used to increase agricultural sustainability.


2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. RUTTO ◽  
J. P. VOSSENKEMPER ◽  
J. KELLY ◽  
B. K. CHIM ◽  
W. R. RAUN

SUMMARYCorrect placement of side dress nitrogen (N) fertilizer could increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and maize yield production. Field studies were established to evaluate application of midseason (V8 to V10), variable liquid urea ammonia nitrate (28%), N rates (0, 45, 90 and 134 kg N ha−1) and different application distances (0, 10, 20 and 30 cm) away from the maize row on grain yield and NUE at Haskell and Hennessey in 2009, Efaw in 2010 and Lake Carl Blackwell, Oklahoma in 2009 and 2010. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used throughout the study. Results indicated that maize grain yield in sites with adequate rainfall increased significantly (p < 0.05) with N rate, and poor N response was recorded in sites with low rainfall. Across sites and seasons, varying side dress N application distance away from the maize row did not significantly (p < 0.05) influence maize grain yield and NUE even with no prep-plant applied. Environments with adequate rainfall distribution had better maize grain yields when high side dress N rates (90 and 134 kg N ha−1) were applied 0 to 10 cm, and a higher NUE when 45 kg N ha−1 was applied 0 to 20 cm away from the maize row. For low N rates (45 kg N ha−1), increased maize grain yield and NUE were achieved when side dress N was applied 0 to 20 cm away from the maize row at locations with low rainfall distribution. Across sites and seasons, increasing side dress N to 134 kg N ha−1 contributed to a general decline in mean NUE to as low as 4%, 35%, 10%, 51% at Hennessey, Efaw, LCB (2009) and LCB (2010) respectively.


1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udensi E. Udensi ◽  
I. Okezie Akobundu ◽  
Albert O. Ayeni ◽  
David Chikoye

Field experiments were conducted in 1992 to 1993 and in 1995 to 1996 in Ibadan, Nigeria, to assess the effect of velvetbean and herbicides on maize (corn) and cogongrass growth and to assess regrowth of the weed 1 yr after treatment. In 1992 and 1995 cover cropping with velvetbean and imazapyr and glyphosate application reduced cogongrass density as much as the handweeded control. The smothering effect of velvetbean was equivalent to that of glyphosate at 1.8 kg/ha but was less than imazapyr even at the lowest rate of 0.5 kg/ha. Addition of adjuvant did not improve the efficacy of either herbicide. Maize grain yield was higher in velvetbean plots than in fallow plots dominated by cogongrass. Velvetbean and herbicide effects on cogongrass 1 yr later (1993 and 1996) followed a similar trend as observed in the year of application. Annual weed density was highest in glyphosate plots, followed by imazapyr, and least in plots previously seeded to velvetbean. Maize grain yield was higher in herbicide plots (average yield of 3,170 and 1,920 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively) than in velvetbean plots (2,800 to 1,180 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively) and handweeded plots (2,890 and 723 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively). In 1996 the lowest maize yield was in handweeded plots without velvetbean, suggesting that weeding four times suppressed cogongrass density and biomass, but was not sufficient to minimize the subsequent competition from annual weeds. Uncontrolled cogongrass reduced maize yield to zero. These studies suggest that planting velvetbean for cogongrass control may be a better alternative for farmers without the resources to purchase herbicides.


Author(s):  
Arusey Chebet ◽  
Otinga A. Nekesa ◽  
Wilson Ng’etich ◽  
Ruth Njoroge ◽  
Roland W. Scholz ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of site-specific fertilizer recommendations on maize yield using the transdisciplinary (TD) process. 144 farmers participated in the study for the two seasons. Experiments were laid on the farmers’ fields at four sites (Kapyemit, Kipsomba, Ngenyilel and Ziwa, in Uasin Gishu County) using Randomized Complete Block Design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments included farmers who participated in the TD process (TD2) and those who did not (TD1) in using the interventions for soil fertility improvement which were farmer own practices (ST1); farmers who applied government recommendations (ST2), and site-specific fertilizer recommendations (ST3) which was based on soil testing results. The Data collected was the dry weights of maize which were measured at the end of the seasons and subjected to Analysis of Variance using Genstat 14th edition. Means separation was done using Fischer’s unprotected Least Significant Difference.. There was a significant effect on maize yields by soil testing and participation in TD process p = 0.01. The mean maize grain yield for season one was 5.43 ton ha-1 while for season two was 5.73 ton ha-1. Control farmers (TD1) maize grain yield of 5.27 ton ha-1, had a significant difference (p = 0.05) from the yield of participating farmers (TD2) who had 5.96 ton ha-1. Maize grain yield was increased by the application of site specific fertilizer recommendations which gave an overall mean of 6.57 ton ha-1 for season one and 6.56 ton ha-1 for season two. Following (ST3) recommendations and participation in the TD process, improved soil nutrient content thus maize yield increased. We recommend soil testing and consequent site-specific fertilizer recommendations for any initiative in managing soil fertility.


Author(s):  
W. Winnie Kimiti ◽  
M. W. Mucheru-Muna ◽  
J. N. Mugwe ◽  
K. F. Ngetich ◽  
M. N. Kiboi ◽  
...  

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), acidic soil covers 29% of the total area. About 13% of the Kenyan total land area has acidic soils, widely distributed in croplands of the central and western Kenyan regions. The high soil acidity, coupled with soil nutrient depletion, negatively affects crop productivity in the region. We conducted an on-farm experiment to determine the effect of lime, manure, and phosphatic fertilizer application, either solely or combined, on soil chemical properties, maize yield, and profitability in acidic soils of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The treatments were different rates of manure, lime, and P fertilizer. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design replicated ten times in farmer’s fields. Soil sampling was done at a depth of 0-20 cm prior to the start of the experiment, after crop harvest of SR2016 and LR2017 seasons. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory following standard methods. Results showed that lime significantly increased soil pH by 10.6% during the SR2016 and by 17.7% during the LR2017. Similarly, treatments with lime reduced exchangeable acidity and increased soil available P. Treatments with inorganic fertilizers had significantly higher maize grain yield in comparison with treatments with the sole application of lime, manure, and lime + manure. Lime + fertilizer + manure treatment gave the highest average maize grain yield (5.1 t ha−1), while control gave the lowest (1.5 t ha−1) during the LR2017 season. Economic returns were low due to the prevailing low rainfall experienced during the study period during the SR2016 season. Lime combined with inorganic fertilizer treatment recorded the highest returns (128.75 USD ha-1) followed by sole inorganic fertilizer (105.94 USD ha-1) during the LR2017 season. The study recommends a combination of both lime and inorganic fertilizer for enhanced maize production and profitability in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e0711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanja Mikić ◽  
Miroslav Zorić ◽  
Dušan Stanisavljević ◽  
Ankica Kondić-Špika ◽  
Ljiljana Brbaklić ◽  
...  

Drought is a severe threat to maize yield stability in Serbia and other temperate Southeast European countries occurring occasionally but with significant yield losses. The development of resilient genotypes that perform well under drought is one of the main focuses of maize breeding programmes. To test the tolerance of newly developed elite maize inbred lines to drought stress, field trials for grain yield performance and anthesis silk interval (ASI) were set in drought stressed environments in 2011 and 2012. Inbred lines performing well under drought, clustered into a group with short ASI and a smaller group with long ASI, were considered as a potential source for tolerance. The former contained inbreds from different heterotic groups and with a proportion of local germplasm. The latter consisted of genotypes with mixed exotic and Lancaster germplasm, which performed better in more drought-affected environments. Three inbreds were selected for their potential drought tolerance, showing an above-average yield and small ASI in all environments. Association analysis indicated significant correlations between ASI and grain yield and three microsatellites (bnlg1525, bnlg238 and umc1025). Eight alleles were selected for their favourable concurrent effect on yield increase and ASI decrease. The proportion of phenotypic variation explained by the markers varied across environments from 5.7% to 22.4% and from 4.6% to 8.1% for ASI and yield, respectively. The alleles with strongest effect on performance of particular genotypes and their interactions in specific environments were identified by the mean of partial least square interactions analysis indicating potential suitability of the makers for tolerant genotype selection.


2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. WADDINGTON ◽  
MULUGETTA MEKURIA ◽  
S. SIZIBA ◽  
J. KARIGWINDI

To measure the yield and financial returns from five grain legume–maize intercrop combinations over 12 years of cropping, a field experiment was conducted on a loamy sand soil in the subhumid unimodal rainfall environment of Domboshava in north-central Zimbabwe. Inputs and management followed smallholder practice, including partial grazing of crop residues and a zero mineral fertilizer treatment. The intercropped legumes grew moderately well most years. Cowpea averaged the highest grain yield (0.244 t ha−1) and haulm yield (1.54 t ha−1) over the 12 years, followed by pigeonpea and sugar bean. Intercropped pigeonpea yield was the least variable of the legumes over the years. Maize grain yield was highly variable across years with or without fertilizer and was reduced in years of low (533 mm) and high (1313 mm) rainfall. The pigeonpea–maize intercrop grown without fertilizer produced 0.11 t ha−1 (6.25 %) more maize grain yield per year than sole crop maize, in addition to pigeonpea grain and haulms. Intercropped cowpea (which yielded more than double the above-ground non-grain biomass of pigeonpea) had less effect on maize grain yield. There was no trend to greater benefits from the legumes on maize yield after more years of intercropping. Net present values of annual margins accumulated over the 12 years for sole maize with fertilizer (US$1719 ha−1) and without fertilizer (US$935 ha−1) were higher than the fertilized and unfertilized intercropping options (US$1017 and US$745 ha−1). Pigeonpea or cowpea–unfertilized maize generated more financial returns than the other intercrops, but the low yields and high labour costs for the legumes made the intercrops financially unattractive. We conclude that regularly intercropped pigeonpea or cowpea can to a small extent help to maintain maize yield when maize is grown without mineral fertilizer on sandy soils in sub humid zones of Zimbabwe, and simultaneously provide some nutritious food, but that financial considerations will encourage smallholder farmers to persist with growing low input sole crop maize.


Genetika ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragan Bozovic ◽  
Tomislav Zivanovic ◽  
Vera Popovic ◽  
Mladen Tatic ◽  
Zagorka Gospavic ◽  
...  

Maize genotypes have varied reactions in different localities, years, treatments or the combination of these factors, due to genotype x year interaction. The objective of this study was to estimate genotype by locality, by year, by treatments (G?L?Y?T) interaction using AMMI model, to identify maize genotypes with stable and high yield performance in different growing seasons. The trials with seven maize lines/genotypes were conducted during two years (2010-2011) at the four treatments and two locations: Pan?evo and Zemun Polje. The results showed that the influence of: genotype (G), locality (L), treatment (T) and G?L, G?T, Y?L, Y?T, L?T, G?Y?T, G?L?T, Y?L?T, G?Y?L?T interaction, on maize yield were significant (p<0.01). The share of genotype for maize grain yield in the total phenotypic variance was 21.16%, the aggregate share of the years and the locality was 6.10%, the treatment was 18.22%, and the total interaction was 54.52%. The AMMI analysis of the main components of IPCA1 and IPCA2 for the interaction of G?L and G?T shows that the first major component, IPCA1, comprises 100% of the sum of the squared interaction G?L and showed a statistically significant effect. The results also show that the sums of the squares of the first and second major components (PC1 and PC2) constitute 100% of the sum of the squared interaction G?L. The IPCA1 share in the G?T interaction was 47.39% and the IPC2 was 37.94%. IPC1 and IPC2 for this interaction was 85.33%. A high level of IPC2 indicates a significant treatment effect. The results of AMI analysis show that there is a significant difference between the genotype reactions to different ecological conditions for investigated factors. It also provided better insight in specific association between maize grain yield, locality, treatment and meteorological variables. Among the tested maize lines/genotypes, L-5, L-4 and L-6 could be separated as highest yielding genotypes, however L-5 could be recommended for further breeding program and in large-scale seed production due to its stable and high yielding performance.


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