Abstract
Retrospective analyses may provide an understanding of unexploited genetic potential and indicate possible pathways for future yield improvement. The objectives of this study were to present maize(Zea mays L.)yield trends and plant traits changes for maize cultivars from the 1950s to the 2000s in China. Trials were conducted at three locations in 2007 and 2008, and at four locations in 2009. Twenty-seven single hybrids, four double-cross hybrids, and four open-pollinated varieties, were grown at three densities at each location each year. 56% of total yield gain was contributed to breeding from 1950 to 2000. New hybrids had more resistance to compound stress. Levels of response of all hybrids to higher-yielding environments were similar, and greater than that of OPVs. All maize cultivars showed morphological changes for all characteristics tested in a volatile manner from 1950 to 2000, except for relatively stable leaf number. ASI decreased and tolerance to root lodging improved, which were enhanced at higher plant densities. There were no trends for other characteristics at higher densities. Shorter maturity, smaller plant size and more tolerance to root and stalk lodging will be required for further yield improvement. Chinese maize yield improvement can benefit from agronomic strategies at higher plant densities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ci X, Li M, Liang X et al (2011) Genetic contribution to advanced yield for maize hybrids released from 1970 to 2000 in China. Crop Sci 51:5–13
Crosbie TM (1982) Changes in physiological traits associated with long-term breeding efforts to improve grain yield of maize. Proc Annu Corn Sorghum Res Conf 37:206–223
Duvick DN (1977) Genetic rates of gain in hybrid maize yields during the past 40 years. Maydica 22:187–196
Duvick DN (1984) Genetic diversity in major farm crops on the farm and in reserve. Econ Bot 38:161–178
Duvick DN (1992) Genetic contributions to advances in yield of U.S. maize. Maydica 37:69–79
Duvick DN (1997) What is yield? In: Edmeades GO, Bänziger M, Mickelson HR, Peña–Valdivia CB (eds) Developing drought- and low n-tolerant maize. CIMMYT, Mexico, pp 332–335
Duvick DN (2005a) Genetic progress in yield of United States maize (Zea mays L.). Maydica 50:193–202
Duvick DN (2005b) The contribution of breeding to yield advances in maize. Adv Agron 86:83–145
Duvick DN, Smith JSC, Cooper M (2004) Long-term selection in a commercial hybrid maize breeding program. Plant Breeding Rev 24:109–151
Dwyer LM, Stewart DW, Tollenaar M (1992) Analysis of maize leaf photosynthesis under drought stress. Can. J. Plant Sci. 72:477–481
Eberhart SA, Russell WA (1966) Stability parameters for comparing varieties. Crop Sci 6:36–40
Fasoula VA, Tollenaar M (2005) The impact of plant population density on crop yield and response to selection in maize. Maydica 50:39–48
Institute SAS (2009) SAS system for windows. Version 9.1.3 help and documentation. SAS Inst. Inc, Cary
Jensen SD, Cavalieri AD (1983) Drought tolerance in US maize. Agr Water Manage 7:223–236
Li H, Bai H, Wang X, Meng S, Wang L, Zhang J (2008) Effect of different harvest time on maize yield. Bulletin Agri Sci Technol 6:80–82
Liang X, ABU L, Feng G, Li L, Li M, Li W, Gao H (2001) Yield performance of maize hybrids and analysis of correlation between yield and agronomic characteristics. J Maize Sci 9:16–20 (in Chinese)
Nissanka SP, Dixon MA, Tollenaar M (1997) Canopy gas exchange response to moisture stress in old and new maize hybrid. Crop Sci 37:172–181
Russell WA (1974) Comparative performance for maize hybrids representing different eras of maize breeding. Proc Annu Corn Sorghum Res Conf 29:81–101
Russell WA (1984) Agronomic performance of maize cultivars representing different eras of breeding. Maydica 29:375–390
Russell WA (1985) Evaluation for plant, ear, and grain traits of maize cultivars representing different eras of breeding. Maydica 30:85–96
Russell WA (1991) Genetic improvement of maize yields. Adv Agron 46:245–298
Subedi KD, Ma BL (2005) Ear position, leaf area, and contribution of individual leaves to grain yield in conventional and leafy maize hybrids. Crop Sci 45:2246–2257
Tollenaar M, Lee EA (2002) Yield potential, yield stability and stress tolerance in maize. Field Crops Res 75:161–169
Tong P (2001) The course and the achievement of corn variety improvement in the 20th century in China. China Hist Mater Sci Technol 22:113–127 (in Chinese)
Wang J, Jia S, Kong Q (1995) Retroversion and analysis of breeding for plant with more upright leaves. J maize Sci Shandong 6:4–6 (in Chinese)
Wang T, Ma X, Li Y, Bai D, Chen L, Liu Z, Tan X, Shi Y, Yanchun S, Carlone M, Bubeck D, Bhardwaj H, Jones E, Wright K, Smith S (2011) Changes in yield and yield components of single-cross maize hybrids released in China between 1964 and 2001. Crop Sci 51:512–525
Xie C, Zhang S, Li M, Li X, Hao Z, Bai L, Zhang D, Liang Y (2007) Inferring genome ancestry and estimating molecular relatedness among 187 Chinese maize inbred lines. J Genet Genom 34:738–748
Yang J, Mao C, Li F, Ran L, Liu J, Liu S (2003) Correlation and path analysis on agronomic traits and kernel yield of maize hybrids. Chinese Agri Sci Bulletin 19:28–30 (In Chinese)
Zhang S, Sun S (2006) Technical problems for maize breeding based on variety test. Crops 2:10–12 (in Chinese)
Zhang S, Li X, Yuan L, Li M, Peng Z (2002) Heterotic groups and exploitation of heterosis–methodology, strategy, and use in hybrid maize breeding in China. In: Srinivasan G, Zaidi PH, Prasanna BM, Gonzalez F, Lesnick K (eds) New technologies for the new millennium. Bangkok, Thailand, pp 64–69
Acknowledgments
The present study was supported by the China Agriculture Research System (CARS-02-01), 948 project (2006-G3), MOA (Ministry of Agriculture), Ministry of agriculture’ special funds for scientific research on public causes.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Additional information
Mingshun Li is co-first author.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ci, X., Li, M., Xu, J. et al. Trends of grain yield and plant traits in Chinese maize cultivars from the 1950s to the 2000s. Euphytica 185, 395–406 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-011-0560-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-011-0560-5