Timing effect of high temperature exposure on the plasticity of internode and plant architecture in maize

The occurrence of high temperature(HT)in crop production is becoming more frequent and unpredictable with global warming,severely threatening food security.The state of an organ’s growth and development is largely determined by the temperature conditions it is exposed to over time.Maize is the main cereal crop,and its stem growth and plant architecture are closely related to lodging resistance,and especially sensitive to temperature.However,systematic research on the timing effect of HT on the sequentially developing internode and stem is currently lacking.To identify the timing effect of HT on the morphology and plasticity of the stem in maize,two hybrids(Zhengdan 958(ZD958),Xianyu 335(XY335))characterized by distinct morphological traits in the stem were exposed to a 7-day HT treatment from the V6 to V17 stages(Vn presents the vegetative stage with n leaves fully expanded)in 2019-2020.The results demonstrated that exposure to HT during V6-V12 accelerated the rapid elongation of stems.For instance,HT occurring at V7 and V12 specifically promoted the lengths and weights of the 3rd-5th and 9th-11th internodes,respectively.Meanwhile,HT slowed the growth of internodes adjacent to the promoted internodes.Interestingly,compared with control,the plant height was significantly increased soon after HT treatment,but the promotion effect became narrower at the subsequent flowering stage,demonstrating a self-adjusting mechanism in the maize plant in response to HT.Importantly,HT altered the plant architectures,including a rising of the ear position and increase in the ear position coefficient.XY335 exhibited greater sensitivity in stem development than ZD958 under HT treatment.These findings improve our systematic understanding of the plasticity of internode and plant architecture in response to the timing of HT exposure.

Effects of Postponing N Application on Metabolism,Absorption and Utilization of Nitrogen of Summer Maize in SuperHigh Yield Region

[Objective] The aim was to explore effects of application postponing of N fertilizer and the mechanism of yield increase in order to provide references for N fertilizer application in a rational way. [Method] In a super-high yielded region of summer maize, field experiment was conducted to research effects of N fertilizer postponing on key enzymes of N metabolism, yield of maize and N fertilizer use. [Result] After application of N fertilizer was postponed, NR, SPS and GS activities of ear-leaf of summer maize increased by 11.99%-34.87%, 8.25%-10.64% and 10.00%- 16.81% on the 28^th d of silking; content of soluble sugar in leaves enhanced signifi- cantly and accumulated nitrogen increased by 5.00%-9.74% in mature stage. The postponing fertilization of ＂30% of fertilizer in seedling stage＋30% of fertilizer in flare- opening stage＋40% of fertilizer in silking stage meets N demands of summer maize in late growth period. Compared with conventional fertilization, the maize yield, agro- nomic efficiency and use of N fertilizer all improved by 5.05%, 1.75 kg/kg and 6.87%, respectively, after application postponed. [Conclusion] Application postponing of N fertilizer maintains activity of NR, GS and SPS higher and coordinates metabolism of C and N in late growth period, to further improve yield of maize.

Study on Matter Production and Population Photosynthetic Characteristics of High-yielding Spring Maize under Different Modes

In order to construct a good population structure, improve the light energy utilization ratio, and give a full play to the high-yielding potential of spring maize, the effects of maize variety, planting density and fertilizer management on matter production and population photosynthetic physiological indices of spring maize were investigated under three different modes （traditional mode, optimized mode and high- yielding mode）. The results showed that compared with those under the traditional mode, the yield of spring maize under the optimized mode and high-yielding mode was increased by 10.79% and 27.62%, respectively, and the barren tip length was reduced significantly. Among the three modes, the leaf area index （LA/）, leaf area duration （LAD）, dry matter accumulation （DMA） and crop growth rate （CGR） all ranked as high-yielding rnode＇s〉optimized mode＇s〉traditional mode＇s. In conclusion, optimized variety, appropriately increased planting density and strengthened fertilizer management are the key measures to obtain high yield of spring maize.

Research progress on reduced lodging of high-yield and-density maize

Increasing plant density is an effective way to enhance maize yield, but often increases lodging rate and severity, significantly elevating the risk and cost of maize production. Therefore, lodging is a major factor restricting future increases in maize yield through high-density planting. This paper reviewed previous research on the relationships between maize lodging rate and plant morphology, mechanical strength of stalks, anatomical and biochemical characteristics of stalks, root characteristics, damage from pests and diseases, environmental factors, and genomic characteristics. The effects of planting density on these factors and explored possible ways to improve lodging resistance were also analyzed in this paper. The results provide a basis for future research on increasing maize lodging resistance under high-density planting conditions and can be used to develop maize cultivation practices and lodging-resistant maize cultivars.

Maize-soybean strip intercropping： Achieved a balance between high productivity and sustainability

Intercropping is one of the most vital practice to improve land utilization rate in China that has limited arable land resource. However, the traditional intercropping systems have many disadvantages including illogical field lay-out of crops, low economic value, and labor deficiency, which cannot balance the crop production and agricultural sustainability. In view of this, we developed a novel soybean strip intercropping model using maize as the partner, the regular maize-soybean strip intercropping mainly popularized in northern China and maize-soybean relay-strip intercropping principally extended in southwestern China. Compared to the traditional maize-soybean intercropping systems, the main innovation of field lay-out style in our present intercropping systems is that the distance of two adjacent maize rows are shrunk as a narrow strip, and a strip called wide strip between two adjacent narrow strips is expanded reserving for the growth of two or three rows of soybean plants. The distance between outer rows of maize and soybean strips are expanded enough for light use efficiency improvement and tractors working in the soybean strips. Importantly, optimal cultivar screening and increase of plant density achieved a high yield of both the two crops in the intercropping systems and increased land equivalent ratio as high as 2.2. Annually alternative rotation of the adjacent maize-and soybean-strips increased the grain yield of next seasonal maize, improved the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potasium of maize, while prevented the continuous cropping obstacles. Extra soybean production was obtained without affecting maize yield in our strip intercropping systems, which balanced the high crop production and agricultural sustainability.

Chemical composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics of high sugar forage sorghum as an alternative to forage maize for silage making in Tarim Basin, China

The chemical composition, mineral profile and in vitro fermentation characteristics of maize （MZ）, high sugar forage sorghum （HS） and forage sorghum （FS）, and silages made from each forage type were measured. The MZ and MZ silage （MZS） had higher crude protein, starch and ether extract contents than both sorghum forages and sorghum silages. HS had higher ash and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations than FS and MZ. MZ, MZS, HS and HS silage （HSS） had lower neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin than FS and FS silage （FSS）. FSS had higher dry matter （DM） and pH than MZS and HSS. HSS contained higher concentrations of P and K than FSS and MZS. MZS and HSS had higher in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility, CH4 production, total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate than FSS. pH was higher for FSS than for HSS, and ammonia was lower for HSS than for MZS and FSS. HSS had higher gas production than MZS and FSS after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h incubation. MZS had higher gas production than HSS and FSS after 26 and 28 h of incubation. The results indicate that HS may substitute for MZ to make good quality silage. However, animal studies are needed to assess the acceptability and feeding values of HSS vs. MZS for ruminant production.

Subsoiling and Ridge Tillage Alleviate the High Temperature Stress in Spring Maize in the North China Plain

High temperature stress（HTS） on spring maize（Zea mays L.） during the filling stage is the key factor that limits the yield increase in the North China Plain（NCP）.Subsoiling（SS） and ridge tillage（R） were introduced to enhance the ability of spring maize to resist HTS during the filling stage.The field experiments were conducted during the 2011 and 2012 maize growing seasons at Wuqiao County,Hebei Province,China.Compared with rotary tillage（RT）,the net photosynthetic rate,stomatal conductance,transpiration rate,and chlorophyll relative content（SPAD） of maize leaves was increased by 40.0,42.6,12.8,and 29.7% under SS,and increased by 20.4,20.0,5.4,and 14.2% under R,repectively.However,the treatments reduce the intercellular CO 2 concentration under HTS.The SS and R treatments increased the relative water content（RWC） by 11.9 and 6.2%,and the water use efficiency（WUE） by 24.3 and 14.3%,respectively,compared with RT.The SS treatment increased the root length density and soil moisture in the 0-80 cm soil profile,whereas the R treatment increased the root length density and soil moisture in the 0-40 cm soil profile compared with the RT treatment.Compared with 2011,the number of days with temperatures 33°C was more 2 d and the mean day temperature was higher 0.9°C than that in 2012,whereas the plant yield decreased by 2.5,8.5 and 10.9%,the net photosynthetic rate reduced by 7.5,10.5 and 18.0%,the RWC reduced by 3.9,5.6 and 6.2%,and the WUE at leaf level reduced by 1.8,5.2 and 13.1% in the SS,R and RT treatments,respectively.Both the root length density and the soil moisture also decreased at different levels.The yield,photosynthetic rate,plant water status,root length density,and soil moisture under the SS and R treatments declined less than that under the RT treatment.The results indicated that SS and R can enhance the HTS resistance of spring maize during the filling stage,and led to higher yield by directly improving soil moisture and root growth and indirectly improving plant water status,photosynthesis and grain filling.The study can provide a theoretical basis for improving yield of maize by adjusting soil tillage in the NCP.

Nitrogen management improves lodging resistance and production in maize(Zea mays L.)at a high plant density

Lodging in maize leads to yield losses worldwide.In this study,we determined the effects of traditional and optimized nitrogen management strategies on culm morphological characteristics,culm mechanical strength,lignin content,root growth,lodging percentage and production in maize at a high plant density.We compared a traditional nitrogen(N)application rate of 300 kg ha–1(R)and an optimized N application rate of 225 kg ha^(–1)(O)under four N application modes:50%of N applied at sowing and 50%at the 10th-leaf stage(N1);100%of N applied at sowing(N2);40%of N applied at sowing,40%at the 10th-leaf stage and 20%at tasseling stage(N3);and 30%of N applied at sowing,30%at the 10th-leaf stage,20%at the tasseling stage,and 20%at the silking stage(N4).The optimized N rate(225 kg ha^(–1))significantly reduced internode lengths,plant height,ear height,center of gravity height and lodging percentage.The optimized N rate significantly increased internode diameters,filling degrees,culm mechanical strength,root growth and lignin content.The application of N in four split doses(N4)significantly improved culm morphological characteristics,culm mechanical strength,lignin content,and root growth,while it reduced internode lengths,plant height,ear height,center of gravity height and lodging percentage.Internode diameters,filling degrees,culm mechanical strength,lignin content,number and diameter of brace roots,root volume,root dry weight,bleeding safe and grain yield were significantly negatively correlated with plant height,ear height,center of gravity height,internode lengths and lodging percentage.In conclusion,treatment ON4 significantly reduced the lodging percentage by improving the culm morphological characteristics,culm mechanical strength,lignin content,and root growth,so it improved the production of the maize crop at a high plant density.

Breeding Method of Spring-Sown Maize in Northern China

This paper outlines effective methods for selecting and breeding maize varieties,with a focus on early and late hybridization,superior line re-selection,multi-part selection,and other techniques.The goal is to facilitate the innovation of northern spring-sown maize germplasm resources,the selection and breeding of new varieties,thereby contributing to food security in China.

QTL mapping of general combining abilities of four traits in maize using a high-density genetic map

General combining abilities （GCAs） are very important in utilization of heterosis in maize breeding. However, its genetic basis is unclear. In the present study, a set of 118 doubled haploid （DH） lines were induced from F1 generations produced from the cross between the inbred line Zheng 58 and the inbred line W499 belonging to the Reid subgroup. Using the MaizeSNP50 BeadChip, a high-density genetic map was constructed based on the DH population which included 1 147 bin markers with an average interval length of 2.00 cM. Meanwhile, the DH population was crossed with three testers including W16-5, HD568, and W556, which belong to the Sipingtou subgroup. The GCAs of the ear height （EH）, the kernel moisture content （KMC）, the kernel ratio （KR）, and the yield per plant （YPP） were estimated using these hybrids in three environments. Combining the high-density genetic map and the GCAs, a total of 14 QTLs were detected for the GCAs of the four traits. Especially, one pleiotropic QTL was identified on chromosome 1 between the SNP SYN16067 and the SNP PZE-101169244 which was simultaneously associated with the GCAs of the EH, the KR, and the YPP. These QTLs pave the way for further dissecting the genetic architecture underlying GCAs of the traits, and they may be used to enhance GCAs of inbred lines under the fixed heterotic pattern ReidxSipingtou in China through a marker-assisted selection approach.

Evidence of arrested silk growth in maize at high planting density using phenotypic and transcriptional analyses

Increasing the planting density is an effective way to increase the yield of maize(Zea mays L.),although it can also aggravate ovary apical abortion-induced bald tips of the ears,which might,in turn,reduce the yield.While the mechanism underlying the regulation of drought-related abortion in maize is well established,high planting density-related abortion in maize remains poorly understood.Therefore,the present study was designed to investigate the mechanism underlying the ovary apical abortion response to high density.This was achieved by evaluating the effects of four different plant densities(60000 plants ha^(–1)(60 k),90 k,120 k,and 150 k)on plant traits related to plant architecture,the plant ear,flowering time,and silk development in two inbred lines(Zheng58 and PH4CV)and two hybrid lines(Zhengdan958 and Xianyu335).The phenotypes of both inbred and hybrid plants were observed under different planting density treatments,and the high planting density was found to increase the phenotypic performance values of the evaluated traits.The anthesis–silking interval(ASI)was extended,and the amount of the silk extruded from husks was reduced upon increasing the planting density.Delayed silk emergence resulted in asynchronous flowering and ear bald tips.Observations of the silk cells revealed that the silk cells became smaller as planting density increased.The changes in transcript abundances in the silks involved the genes associated with expansive growth rather than carbon metabolism.These findings further our understanding of silk growth regulation under high planting density and provide a theoretical basis for further research on improving high planting density breeding in maize.

Advance in germplasm innovation and gene mining of high-oil maize

As one of the 3 worldwide major grain crops, maize is the main source of food, feed and edible vegetable oil. High-oil maize has been selectively bred for many years due to its high oil content and nutritional quality. However, compared with normal maize, the progress of high-oil maize breeding is hindered nowadays. Main problems are scarce of high-oil maize germplasm, conventional breeding methods, and slow genetic research progress on oil content and fatty acid composition. In this study, germplasm innovation and gene mining of high-oil maize were reviewed to provide theoretical reference for genetic breeding and utilization. Several high-oil basic populations have been developed after more than 100 years of selection, which have served as the unique resources for high-oil maize breeding. They have also been used to dissect genetic architecture of oil biosynthesis in maize kernel. Using linkage and association analyses, many QTLs and loci associated with oil content and fatty acid composition have been identified and mapped. In addition, some candidate genes for QTLs have been validated to regulate maize grain oil content and fatty acid composition. Prospect for high-oil maize was also discussed to provide knowledge about genetic mechanism of oil biosynthesis and improvement of kernel quality in maize.

基于Hybrid-maize模型的吉林省不同生态区玉米产量潜力研究

为挖掘玉米产量潜力,进一步提升玉米综合生产能力,利用在东北地区已验证的Hybrid-maize模型及多年气象数据对吉林省不同生态类型区[东部湿润生态区(桦甸)、中部半湿润生态区(公主岭)、西部半干旱生态区(乾安)]不同品种、播期和密度及其相互组合下的玉米产量潜力进行模拟,并对影响玉米高产稳产的因素进行定量分析,同时考虑产量潜力变异情况及品种本身的生产特性,构建了吉林省不同生态区玉米高产体系。研究结果表明:1)改变播期是一项重要的增产措施,不同生态区的表现不同,湿润区应选择早播,播种日期在4月20日左右较适宜,而半湿润和半干旱地区应尽量晚播,适宜播期应在5月中旬左右。2)不同生态区对密度的容纳能力表现为湿润区(桦甸)>半湿润区(公主岭)>半干旱区(乾安),3个地区的适宜密度分别为90 000株·hm^(-2)、80 000株·hm^(-2)和75 000株·hm^(-2)左右。3)选用生育期更长的品种表现出了较高的增产潜力,生产上应根据不同区域生态条件,尽量选择晚熟品种,在当前播期条件下半湿润和半干旱地区品种生育期内需要的有效生长积温(GDD)可增至1 600℃以上。4)与当前生产技术相比,将播期、密度、品种三者优化组合,高产体系长期平均产量潜力可增产14.39%~29.23%。本研究可为吉林省玉米高产措施的正确应用提供理论依据,为玉米产量大面积提升提供技术参考。

Modes of Action of Phytochromes in Establishing Different Phototropic Responsiveness of Maize Coleoptiles

Previous studies have examined the effects of red light (R) on phototropism of maize ( Zea mays L. cv. Royaldent Hit 85) coleoptiles. The R effect on time-dependent phototropism (TDP) was further studied by characterizing its fluence-response relationship. The results showed the R effect was a low-fluence-response, unlike those on pulse-induced phototropisms that show a very-low-fluence-response mode. A subsequent pulse of far-red light (FR) could reverse the R effect. TDP responsiveness, however, recovered as the following FR was extended, The FR-dependent increase in TDP responsiveness was obtained even coleoptiles were pretreated only with FR. It suggested that TDP responsiveness could also be established in response to a FR signal. The fluence-response relationship for the effect of FR was then investigated. The effect of FR depended on the time of irradiation and required high photon fluences. Because reciprocity was invalid at the higher fluence range, the effect of FR would be a high-irradiance-response mode. Relation between phytochrome action modes and possible multiple pathways for phototropic signal transduction was analyzed based on the experiment results.

Rapid Determination of Lysine Content in Maize Kernel by Amino-acid Analyzer

In this study, nine high-lysine maize kernels and two kernels of common maize hybrid were used as experiment materials, and quantitative determination of lysine contents in high-lysine maize kernels and common maize kernels was carried out using Hitachi L-8900 Automatic Amino-acid Analyzer, to know the effect of the Analyzer in distinguishing the lysine contents between common maize kernels and high-lysine maize kernels. The results showed that the lysine contents of high-lysine maize kernels were among 0.34%-0.42%, while of common maize kernels were a- mong 0.24%-0.25%, and the difference was significant. Compared with other tradi- tional methods, this method is rapid, simple, sensitive, highly reproductive and needs fewer maize kernels, thus it is applicable in maize breeding.

Maize 6H-60K芯片在玉米实质性派生品种鉴定中的应用分析

玉米实质性派生品种鉴定已成为当前种业知识产权保护的热点之一。为加快其精准高效分子鉴定技术的建立,本文利用多种类型派生品种为研究材料:京2416与京2416C(两者为遗传背景高度相近的两个自交系),京724与京72464(两者为遗传背景相近的两个自交系),以及由京724与京72464两者构建的893个DH系遗传群体等。研究分析了Maize 6H-60K芯片(包含61,214个SNP位点集合)应用于玉米派生品种鉴定的潜力。结果显示:(1)京2416与京2416C间存在829个SNP位点差异,GS值(遗传相似度)为98.7%,56.7%的差异位点集中分布在5号染色体长度约39 Mb区域内。(2)京724与京72464之间差异位点数目为4912个,GS值为90.1%,44.8%的差异位点集中分布在3号染色体上。(3)893个DH系与2个亲本京724及京72464之间的GS值分布均呈现连续性,其中与京724之间的GS值范围88.0%-97.0%,平均值为92.6%;与京72464之间的GS值范围88.3%-98.6%,平均值为94.5%。(4)893个DH系进行两两成对比较,共比较398,278‬对,所有DH系之间均有明确的SNP位点差异;GS值最小为87.5%,最大为99.9%,平均值为94.3%。结果表明Maize 6H-60K包含的SNP位点集能够精准评估派生、近似或极近似自交系及DH系的遗传背景,将所有材料一一鉴别明确区分开来,并具有进一步锁定与派生性状连锁标记的潜力。建议亟需基于Maize 6H-60K SNP位点集合,利用高效芯片、靶向测序等平台建立玉米实质性派生品种分子鉴定技术规程,为玉米品种知识产权保护、品种创新等提供技术支撑。

Creation of two hyperactive variants of phytochrome B1 for attenuating shade avoidance syndrome in maize

Increasing the planting density of maize is an effective measure to improve its yield.However,plants under high planting density tend to trigger shade avoidance syndrome(SAS),reducing lodging resistance and ultimately yield drop.Phytochrome B(phyB)plays a dominant role in mediating shade avoidance response.This study constructed two hyperactive mutated alleles of maize PHYB1:ZmPHYB1^(Y98F)(mimicking Y104F of AtPHYB)and ZmPHYB1^(Y359F)(mimicking Y361F of AtPHYB).Ectopic expression of ZmPHYB1^(Y98F) and ZmPHYB1^(Y359F) under the control of the ZmPHYB1 promoter in the Arabidopsis phyB-9 background rendered enhanced activity on complementing the phyB-9 related phenotypes compared with ZmPHYB1^(WT).Moreover,similar to the behavior of ZmPHYB1^(WT),ZmPHYB1Y98F and ZmPHYB1^(Y359F) proteins are localized to the nucleus after red light exposure,and could interact with PIF proteins of maize.In addition,expression of ZmPHYB1^(Y98F) and ZmPHYB1^(Y359F) variants under the control of the native ZmPHYB1 promoter attenuated SAS of maize seedlings subjected to simulated shade treatment.It effectively reduced mature maize’s plant height and ear height in field conditions.The results combined demonstrate the utility of ZmPHYB1^(Y98F) and ZmPHYB1^(Y359F) for attenuating SAS and breeding high density-tolerant varieties of maize.

Quantitative design of yield components to simulate yield formation for maize in China

Maize(Zea mays L.) stands prominently as one of the major cereal crops in China as well as in the rest of the world.Therefore,predicting the growth and yield of maize for large areas through yield components under high-yielding environments will help in understanding the process of yield formation and yield potential under different environmental conditions.This accurate early assessment of yield requires accuracy in the formation process of yield components as well.In order to formulate the quantitative design for high yields of maize in China,yield performance parameters of quantitative design for high grain yields were evaluated in this study,by utilizing the yield performance equation with normalization of planting density.Planting density was evaluated by parameters including the maximum leaf area index and the maximum leaf area per plant.Results showed that the variation of the maximum leaf area per plant with varying plant density conformed to the Reciprocal Model,which proved to have excellent prediction with root mean square error(RMSE) value of 5.95%.Yield model estimation depicted that the best optimal maximum leaf area per plant was 0.63 times the potential maximum leaf area per plant of hybrids.Yield performance parameters for different yield levels were quantitatively designed based on the yield performance equation.Through validation of the yield performance model by simulating high yields of spring maize in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Jilin Province,China,and summer maize in Shandong Province,the yield performance equation showed excellent prediction with the satisfactory mean RMSE value(7.72%) of all the parameters.The present study provides theoretical support for the formulation of quantitative design for sustainable high yield of maize in China,through consideration of planting density normalization in the yield prediction process,providing there is no water and nutrient limitation.

Breeding for Parents of Hybrid Rice with Maize pepc Gene

The results of the investigation on transgenic rice with maize C4-specific phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (pepc) gene showed that the transgenic rice plants with the maize pepc gene expressed at high level and the maize PEPC expression was inherited in the progenies in a Mendelian manner. The transgenic plants had PEPC activity of more than 10-fold higher than untransformed plants. As compared with untransformed plants, the panicle per plant, spikelet per panicle, 1000-grain weight and grain-weight per plant for transgenic plants increased by 14.9 % , 5.7%, 1.3 % and 13.9 %, respectively. By crossing the maize pepc gene was incorporated into the parents of hybrid rice, which were the photo-sensitive genie male sterile (PGMS) lines of two-line hybrid rice such as Peiai64s, 7001s, 2302s, 2304s and 2306s-1, and the BT type of cytoplas-mic male sterile (CMS) line of three-line hybrid rice such as Shuangjiu A, and restorer lines 5129, Wanjing97 in the spring of 1998. The following progresses were made: (1) The inheritance of the high-level expression of the maize PEPC was stable in different genetic background of rice; (2) PEPC activity of hybrid was the mean of the two parents. Its saturated photosynthetic rate (Pn) rose to 50 % higher than that of the receptor parent. These results demonstrated that it is possible to increase the vigor of the rice plant by transgenic approach with maize pepc gene; (3) The activity of PEPC in leaf could be considered as the major physiological index because the correlation coefficient between PEPC activity and Pn was 0.6470* * ; (4) We have developed three rice lines with maize pepc gene; (5) The selection method of high photosynthetic efficiency rice has been established, which includes soaking seeds into solution of hygromycin phosphotransferase to germinate, tracing the pepc gene by PCR analysis, evaluating the performance of the rice plants in the field and examining PEPC activities and Pn of rice plants with maize pepc gene.

Irrigation mitigates the heat impacts on photosynthesis during grain filling in maize

Elevating soil water content(SWC)through irrigation was one of the simple mitigation measures to improve crop resilience to heat stress.The response of leaf function,such as photosynthetic capacity based on chlorophyll fluorescence during the mitigation,has received limited attention,especially in field conditions.A two-year field experiment with three treatments(control treatment(CK),high-temperature treatment(H),and high-temperature together with elevating SWC treatment(HW))was carried out during grain filling with two maize hybrids at a typical station in North China Plain.Averagely,the net photosynthetic rate(Pn)was improved by 20%,and the canopy temperature decreased by 1–3℃ in HW compared with in H in both years.Furthermore,the higher SWC in HW significantly improved the actual photosynthetic rate(Phi2),linear electron flow(LEF),variable fluorescence(F_(v)),and the maximal potential quantum efficiency(F_(v)/F_(m))for both hybrids.Meanwhile,different responses in chlorophyll fluorescence between hybrids were also observed.The higher SWC in HW significantly improved thylakoid proton conductivity(g H^(+))and the maximal fluorescence(F_(m))for the hybrid ZD958.For the hybrid XY335,the proton conductivity of chloroplast ATP synthase(v H^(+))and the minimal fluorescence(Fo)was increased by the SWC.The structural equation model(SEM)further showed that SWC had significantly positive relationships with Pn,LEF,and F_(v)/F_(m).The elevating SWC alleviated heat stress with the delayed leaf senescence to prolong the effective period of photosynthesis and enhanced leaf photosynthetic capacity by improving Phi2,LEF,Fv,and F_(v)/F_(m).This research demonstrates that elevating SWC through enhancing leaf photosynthesis during grain filling would be an important mitigation strategy for adapting to the warming climate in maize production.