Molecular mechanisms of stress resistance in sorghum: Implications for crop improvement strategies

Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salt, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal pollution, are the main environmental factors that limit crop growth and yield. Sorghum, a C4 grass plant with high photosynthetic efficiency, can grow in adverse environmental conditions due to its excellent stress resistance characteristics. Therefore, unraveling the stress-resistance mechanism of sorghum could provide a theoretical basis for developing and cultivating various stress-resistant crops. This understanding could also help to create a conducive environment for using marginal soil in agriculture and ensuring food security. In this review, we discuss the adaptation mechanisms of sorghum under drought, salinity, temperature, and soil heavy metal stresses, the specific response to stress, the screening of sorghum-resistant germplasm, and the identification and functional analysis of the relevant genes and quantitative trait loci(QTL). In addition, we discuss the application potential of different stress-tolerant sorghum germplasms reported to date and emphasize the feasibility and potential use in developing and promoting highly stress-tolerant sorghum in marginal soil.

Identification, pathogenicity, and fungicide sensitivity of Eutiarosporella dactylidis associated with leaf blight on maize in China

Maize(Zea mays L.) is an economically vital grain crop that is cultivated worldwide. In 2011, a maize foliar disease was detected in Lingtai and Lintao counties in Gansu Province, China. The characteristic signs and symptoms of this disease include irregular chlorotic lesions on the tips and edges of infected leaves and black punctate fruiting bodies in dead leaf tissues. Given favourable environmental conditions, this disease spread to areas surrounding Gansu. In this study, infected leaves were collected from Gansu and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region between 2018and 2020 to identify the disease-causing pathogen. Based on morphological features, pathogenicity tests, and multilocus phylogenetic analysis involving internal transcribed spacer(ITS), 18S small subunit rDNA(SSU), 28S large subunit rDNA(LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha(TEF), and β-tubulin(TUB) sequences, Eutiarosporella dactylidis was identified as the causative pathogen of this newly discovered leaf blight. Furthermore, an in vitro bioassay was conducted on representative strains using six fungicides, and both fludioxonil and carbendazim were found to significantly inhibit the mycelial growth of E. dactylidis. The results of this study provide a reference for the detection and management of Eutiarosporella leaf blight.

A telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Zhonghuang 13,a widely-grown soybean variety from the original center of Glycine max

Soybean(Glycine max)stands as a globally significant agricultural crop,and the comprehensive assembly of its genome is of paramount importance for unraveling its biological characteristics and evolutionary history.Nevertheless,previous soybean genome assemblies have harbored gaps and incompleteness,which have constrained in-depth investigations into soybean.Here,we present Telomere-to-Telomere(T2T)assembly of the Chinese soybean cultivar Zhonghuang 13(ZH13)genome,termed ZH13-T2T,utilizing PacBio Hifi and ONT ultralong reads.We employed a multi-assembler approach,integrating Hifiasm,NextDenovo,and Canu,to minimize biases and enhance assembly accuracy.The assembly spans 1,015,024,879 bp,effectively resolving all 393 gaps that previously plagued the reference genome.Our annotation efforts identified 50,564 high-confidence protein-coding genes,707 of which are novel.ZH13-T2T revealed longer chromosomes,421 not-aligned regions(NARs),112 structure variations(SVs),and a substantial expansion of repetitive element compared to earlier assemblies.Specifically,we identified 25.67 Mb of tandem repeats,an enrichment of 5S and 48S rDNAs,and characterized their genotypic diversity.In summary,we deliver the first complete Chinese soybean cultivar T2T genome.The comprehensive annotation,along with precise centromere and telomere characterization,as well as insights into structural variations,further enhance our understanding of soybean genetics and evolution.

Genome-wide association study of seedling nitrogen-use efficiency-associated traits in common wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)

Nitrogen(N)fertilizer application is essential for crop-plant growth and development.Identifying genetic loci associated with N-use efficiency(NUE)could increase wheat yields and reduce environmental pollution caused by overfertilization.We subjected a panel of 389 wheat accessions to N and chlorate(a nitrate analog)treatments to identify quantitative trait loci(QTL)controlling NUE-associated traits at the wheat seedling stage.Genotyping the panel with a 660K single-nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)array,we identified 397 SNPs associated with N-sensitivity index and chlorate inhibition rate.These SNPs were merged into 49 QTL,of which eight were multi-environment stable QTL and 27 were located near previously reported QTL.A set of 135 candidate genes near the 49 QTL included TaBOX(F-box family protein)and TaERF(ethylene-responsive transcription factor).A Tabox mutant was more sensitive to low-N stress than the wild-type plant.We developed two functional markers for Hap 1,the favorable allele of TaBOX.

Artificial selection of the Green Revolution gene Semidwarf 1 is implicated in upland rice breeding

Semidwarf breeding has boosted crop production and is a well-known outcome from the first Green Revolution. The Green Revolution gene Semidwarf 1(SD1), which modulates gibberellic acid(GA) biosynthesis, plays a principal role in determining rice plant height. Mutations in SD1 reduce rice plant height and promote lodging resistance and fertilizer tolerance to increase grain production. The plant height mediated by SD1 also favors grain yield under certain conditions. However, it is not yet known whether the function of SD1 in upland rice promotes adaptation and grain production. In this study, the plant height and grain yield of irrigated and upland rice were comparatively analyzed under paddy and dryland conditions. In response to dryland environments, rice requires a reduction in plant height to cope with water deficits. Upland rice accessions had greater plant heights than their irrigated counterparts under both paddy and dryland conditions, and appropriately reducing plant height could improve adaptability to dryland environments and maintain high grain yield formation. Moreover, upland rice cultivars with thicker stem diameters had stronger lodging resistance, which addresses the lodging problem. Knockout of SD1 in the upland rice cultivar IRAT104 reduced the plant height and grain yield, demonstrating that the adjustment of plant height mediated by SD1 could increase grain production in dryland fields. In addition, an SD1 genetic diversity analysis verified that haplotype variation causes phenotypic variation in plant height. During the breeding history of rice, SD1 allelic mutations were selected from landraces to improve the grain yield of irrigated rice cultivars, and this selection was accompanied by a reduction in plant height. Thus, five known mutant alleles were analyzed to verify that functional SD1 is required for upland rice production. All these results suggest that SD1 might have undergone artificial positive selection in upland rice, which provides further insights concerning greater plant height in upland rice breeding.

Natural variation of GmFNSII-2 contributes to drought resistance by modulating enzyme activity in soybean

As an essential crop that provides vegetable oil and protein,soybean(Glycine max(L.)Merr.)is widely planted all over the world.However,the scarcity of water resources worldwide has seriously impacted on the quality and yield of soybean.To address this,exploring excellent genes for improving drought resistance in soybean is crucial.In this study,we identified natural variations of GmFNSII-2(flavone synthase II)significantly affect the drought resistance of soybeans.Through sequence analysis of GmFNSII-2 in 632 cultivated and 44 wild soybeans nine haplotypes were identified.The full-length allele GmFNSII-2^(C),but not the truncated allele GmFNSII-2^(A) possessing a nonsense nucleotide variation,increased enzyme activity.Further research found that GmDREB3,known to increase soybean drought resistance,bound to the promoter region of GmFNSII-2^(C).GmDREB3 positively regulated the expression of GmFNSII-2^(C),increased flavone synthase abundance and improved the drought resistance.Furthermore,a singlebase mutation in the GmFNSII-2^(C) promoter generated an additional drought response element(CCCCT),which had stronger interaction strength with GmDREB3 and increased its transcriptional activity under drought conditions.The frequency of drought-resistant soybean varieties with Hap 1(Pro:GmFNSII-2^(C))has increased,suggesting that this haplotype may be selected during soybean breeding.In summary,GmFNSII-2^(C) could be used for molecular breeding of drought-tolerant soybean.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Cooked Rice Textural Attributes and Starch Physicochemical Properties in indica Rice

Rice cooking and eating qualities(CEQ)are mainly determined by cooked rice textural parameters and starch physicochemical properties.However,the genetic bases of grain texture and starch properties in rice have not been fully understood.We conducted a genome-wide association study for apparent amylose content(AAC),starch pasting viscosities,and cooked rice textural parameters using 279 indica rice accessions from the 3000 Rice Genome Project.We identified 26 QTLs in the whole population and detected single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)with the lowest P-value at the Waxy(Wx)locus for all traits except pasting temperature and cohesiveness.Additionally,we detected significant SNPs at the SUBSTANDARD STARCH GRAIN6(SSG6)locus for AAC,setback(SB),hardness,adhesiveness,chewiness(CHEW),gumminess(GUM),and resilience.We subsequently divided the population using a SNP adjacent to the Waxy locus,and identified 23 QTLs and 12 QTLs in two sub-panels,WxT and WxA,respectively.In these sub-panels,SSG6 was also identified to be associated with pasting parameters,including peak viscosity,hot paste viscosity,cold paste viscosity,and consistency viscosity.Furthermore,a candidate gene encoding monosaccharide transporter 5(OsMST5)was identified to be associated with AAC,breakdown,SB,CHEW,and GUM.In total,39 QTLs were co-localized with known genes or previously reported QTLs.These identified genes and QTLs provide valuable information for genetic manipulation to improve rice CEQ.

Development and identification of two novel wheat-rye 6R derivative lines with adult-plant resistance to powdery mildew and high-yielding potential

Powdery mildew,caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici(Bgt),is a devastating disease that seriously threatens wheat yield and quality.To control this disease,host resistance is the most effective measure.Compared with the resistance genes from common wheat,alien resistance genes can better withstand infection of this highly variable pathogen.Development of elite alien germplasm resources with powdery mildew resistance and other key breeding traits is an attractive strategy in wheat breeding.In this study,three wheat-rye germplasm lines YT4-1,YT4-2,and YT4-3 were developed through hybridization between octoploid triticale and common wheat,out of which the lines YT4-1 and YT4-2 conferred adult-plant resistance(APR)to powdery mildew while the line YT4-3 was susceptible to powdery mildew during all of its growth stages.Using genomic in situ hybridization,multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization,multi-color GISH,and molecular marker analysis,YT4-1,YT4-2,and YT4-3 were shown to be cytogenetically stable wheat-rye 6R addition and T1RS.1BL translocation line,6RL ditelosomic addition and T1RS.1BL translocation line,and T1RS.1BL translocation line,respectively.Compared with previously reported wheat-rye derivative lines carrying chromosome 6R,YT4-1 and YT4-2 showed stable APR without undesirable pleiotropic effects on agronomic traits.Therefore,these novel wheat-rye 6R derivative lines are expected to be promising bridge resources in wheat disease breeding.

The wheat sucrose synthase gene TaSus1 is a determinant of grain number per spike

Some haplotypes of the sucrose synthase gene TaSus1 are associated with thousand-grain weight(TGW)in wheat(Triticum aestivum L.).However,no mutations have been identified within the gene to test this association.The effects of TaSus1 on grain number per spike(GNS)also are largely unknown.Our previous genome-wide association study identified TaSus-A1 as a candidate gene controlling fertile spikelet number per spike(FSN).In the present study,we generated two independent mutants for the three TaSus1 homoeologs by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing.The triple mutants displayed lower FSN,GNS,grain number per spikelet(GNST),and TGW than wild-type plants.In 306 hexaploid wheat accessions,two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in TaSus-A1 contributed differently to GNS.Introgression of the two alleles into a wheat genetic background confirmed their effects.The alleles differed in geographical distribution among the accessions.

Remote sensing of quality traits in cereal and arable production systems:A review

Cereal is an essential source of calories and protein for the global population.Accurately predicting cereal quality before harvest is highly desirable in order to optimise management for farmers,grading harvest and categorised storage for enterprises,future trading prices,and policy planning.The use of remote sensing data with extensive spatial coverage demonstrates some potential in predicting crop quality traits.Many studies have also proposed models and methods for predicting such traits based on multiplatform remote sensing data.In this paper,the key quality traits that are of interest to producers and consumers are introduced.The literature related to grain quality prediction was analyzed in detail,and a review was conducted on remote sensing platforms,commonly used methods,potential gaps,and future trends in crop quality prediction.This review recommends new research directions that go beyond the traditional methods and discusses grain quality retrieval and the associated challenges from the perspective of remote sensing data.

Long-Term Effect of No-Tillage on Soil Organic Carbon Fractions in a Continuous Maize Cropping System of Northeast China

Increasing evidence has shown that conservation tillage is an effective agricultural practice to increase carbon (C) sequestration in soils. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying the responses of soil organic carbon (SOC) to tillage regimes, physical fractionation techniques were employed to evaluate the effect of long-term no-tillage (NT) on soil aggregation and SOC fractions. Results showed that NT increased the concentration of total SOC by 18.1% compared with conventional tillage (CT) under a long-term maize (Zea mays L.) cropping system in Northeast China. The proportion of soil large macroaggregates (> 2000 μm) was higher in NT than that in CT, while small macroaggregates (250-2000 μm) showed an opposite trend. Therefore, the total proportion of macroaggregates (> 2000 and 250-2000 μm) was not affected by tillage management. However, C concentrations of macroaggregates on a whole soil basis were higher under NT relative to CT, indicating that both the amount of aggregation and aggregate turnover affected C stabilization. Carbon concentrations of intra-aggregate particulate organic matter associated with microaggregates (iPOM m) and microaggregates occluded within macroaggregates (iPOM mM) in NT were 1.6 and 1.8 times greater than those in CT, respectively. Carbon proportions of iPOM m and iPOM mM in the total SOC increased from 5.4% and 6.3% in CT to 7.2% and 9.7% in NT, respectively. Furthermore, the difference in the microaggregate protected C (i.e., iPOM m and iPOM mM) between NT and CT could explain 45.4% of the difference in the whole SOC. The above results indicate that NT stimulates C accumulation within microaggregates which then are further acted upon in the soil to form macroaggregates. The shift of SOC within microaggregates is beneficial for long-term C sequestration in soil. We also corroborate that the microaggregate protected C is useful as a pool for assessing the impact of tillage management on SOC storage.

The impacts of conservation agriculture on crop yield in China depend on specific practices, crops and cropping regions

For smooth and wide application of conservation agriculture(CA), remaining uncertainties about its impacts on crop yield need to be reduced. Based on previous field experiments in China, a meta-analysis was performed to quantify the actual impacts of CA practices(NT: no/reduced-tillage only, CTSR: conventional tillage with straw retention, NTSR: NT with straw retention) on crop yields as compared to conventional tillage without straw retention(CT).Although CA practices increased crop yield by 4.6% on average, there were large variations in their impacts. For each CA practice, CTSR and NTSR significantly increased crop yield by 4.9%and 6.3%, respectively, compared to CT. However, no significant effect was found for NT. Among ecological areas, significant positive effects of CA practices were found in areas with an annual precipitation below 600 mm. Similar effects were found in areas with annual mean air temperature above 5 °C. For cropping regions, CA increased crop yield by 6.4% and 5.5%compared to CT in Northwest and South China, respectively, whereas no significant effects were found in the North China and Northeast China regions. Among crops, the positive effects of CA practices were significantly higher in maize(7.5%) and rice(4.1%) than in wheat(2.9%). NT likely decreased wheat yield. Our results indicate that there are great differences in the impacts of CA practices on crop yield, owing to regional variation in climate and crop types. CA will most likely increase maize yield but reduce wheat yield. It is strongly recommended to apply CA with crop straw retention in maize cropping areas and seasons with a warm and dry climate pattern.

Genomic dissection of widely planted soybean cultivars leads to a new breeding strategy of crops in the post-genomic era

Soybeans specially the widely planted cultivars have been dramatically improved in agronomic performance and is well adapted to local planting environments after long-time domestication and breeding.Uncovering the unique genomic features of popular cultivars will help to understand how soybean genomes have been modified through breeding.We re-sequenced 134 soybean cultivars that were released and most widely planted over the last century in China.Phylogenetic analyses established that these cultivars comprise two geographically distinct sub-populations:Northeast China (NE) versus the HuangHuai-Hai River Valley and South China (HS).A total of 309 selective regions were identified as being impacted by geographical origins.The HS sub-population exhibited higher genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium decayed more rapidly compared to the NE sub-population.To study the association between phenotypic differences and geographical origins,we recorded the vegetative period under different growing conditions for two years,and found that clustering based on the phenotypic data was closely correlated with cultivar geographical origin.By iteratively calculating accumulated genetic diversity,we established a platform panel of cultivars and have proposed a novel breeding strategy named "Potalaization"for selecting and utilizing the platform cultivars that represent the most genetically diversity and the highest available agronomic performance as the "plateau"for accumulating elite loci and traits,breeding novel widely adapted cultivars,and upgrading breeding technology.In addition to providing new genomic information for the soybean research community,the "Potalaization"strategy that we devised will also be practical for integrating the conventional and molecular breeding programs of crops in the post-genomic era.

Estimation of soil organic carbon stock and its controlling factors in cropland of Yunnan Province,China

Soil organic carbon(SOC)is the most important indicators of soil quality and health.Identifying the spatial distribution of SOC and its influencing factors in cropland is crucial to understand the terrestrial carbon cycle and optimize agronomic management.Yunnan Province,characterized by mountainous topography and varied elevation,is one of the highest SOC regions in China.Yet its SOC stock of cropland and influencing factors has not been fully studied due to the lack of adequate soil investigation.In this study,the digital mapping of SOC at 1 km resolution and the estimation of total SOC stock in cropland of Yunnan Province was undertaken using 8637 topsoil(0-20 cm)samples and a series of spatial data through Random Forest(RF)model.It was showed that across the cropland of Yunnan Province,the mean SOC density and total stock were 4.84 kg m^(-2) and 337.5 Mt,respectively.The spatial distribution indicated that relatively high SOC density regions resided in the northwest and northeast parts of Yunnan Province.Elevation(19.5%),temperature(17.3%),rainfall(14.5%),and Topographic wetness index(9.9%)were the most important factors which controlled spatial variability of SOC density.Agronomic practices(e.g.,crop straw treatments,fertilizer management)should be optimized for the sustainable development of crop production with high SOC sequestration capacity in Yunnan Province.

Innovation of the double-maize cropping system based on cultivar growing degree days for adapting to changing weather conditions in the North China Plain

Double-maize cropping system is an effective option for coping with climate change in the North China Plain. However, the effects of changes in climate on the growth and yield of maize in the two seasons are poorly understood. Forty-six cultivars of maize with different requirements for growing degree days (GDD), categorized as high (H), medium (M) or low (L), and three cultivar combinations for two seasons as LH (using JD27 and DMY1 from category L in the first season;and YD629 and XD22 from category H in the second season), MM (using JX1 and LC3 from category M in the first season;and ZD958 and JX1 from category M in the second season) and HL (using CD30 and QY9 from category H in the first season;and XK10 and DMY3 from category L in the second season) were tested to examine the eco-physiological determinants of maize yield from 2015 to 2017. The correlations between the combinations of cultivars and grain yield were examined. The combination LH produced the highest annual grain yield and total biomass, regardless of the year. It was followed, in decreasing order, by MM and HL. Higher grain yield and biomass in LH were mainly due to the greater grain yield and biomass in the second season, which were influenced mainly by the lengths of the pre- and post-silking periods and the rate of plant growth (PGR). Temperature was the primary factor that influenced dry matter accumulation. In the first season, low temperatures during pre-silking decreased both the duration and PGR in LH, whereas high temperatures during post-silking decreased the PGR in MM and HL, resulting in no significant differences in biomass being observed among the three combinations. In the second season, high temperatures decreased both the PGR and pre- and post-silking duration in MM and HL, and consequently, the biomass of those two combinations were lower than that in LH. Moreover, because of lower GDD and radiation in the first season and higher grain yield in the second season, production efficiency of temperature and radiation (Ra) was the highest in LH. More importantly, differences in temperature and radiation in the two seasons significantly affected the rate and duration of growth in maize, and thereby affecting both dry matter and grain yield. Our study indicated that the combination of LH is the best for optimizing the double-maize system under changing climatic conditions in the North China Plain.

Agriculture and crop science in China:Innovation and sustainability

The International Crop Science Congress(ICSC) is a regularly held event allowing crop scientists to integrate current knowledge into a global context and international applications.The 7th ICSC was held on August 14–19,2016 in Beijing,China,with the theme "Crop Science:Innovation and Sustainability".As a companion production for this great congress,the nine papers collected in this special issue feature important fields of crop science in China.This editorial first briefly introduces the 7th ICSC,followed by a brief discussion of the current status of,constraints to,and innovations in Chinese agriculture and crop science.Finally,the main scientific points of the papers published in this special issue are surveyed,covering important advances in hybrid rice breeding,minor cereals,food legumes,rapeseed,crop systems,crop management,cotton,genomics-based germplasm research,and QTL mapping.In a section describing future prospects,it is indicated that China faces a full transition from traditional to modern agriculture and crop science.

Yield gap and resource utilization efficiency of three major food crops in the world——A review

Yield gap analysis could provide management suggestions to increase crop yields,while the understandings of resource utilization efficiency could help judge the rationality of the management.Based on more than 110 published papers and data from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO,www.fao.org/faostat) and the Global Yield Gap and Water Productivity Atlas (www.yieldgap.org),this study summarized the concept,quantitative method of yield gap,yield-limiting factors,and resource utilization efficiency of the three major food crops (wheat,maize and rice).Currently,global potential yields of wheat,maize and rice were 7.7,10.4 and 8.5 t ha^(–1),respectively.However,actual yields of wheat,maize and rice were just 4.1,5.5 and 4.0 t ha^(–1),respectively.Climate,nutrients,moisture,crop varieties,planting dates,and socioeconomic conditions are the most mentioned yield-limiting factors.In terms of resource utilization,nitrogen utilization,water utilization,and radiation utilization efficiencies are still not optimal,and this review has summarized the main improvement measures.The current research focuses on quantitative potential yield and yield gap,with a rough explanation of yield-limiting factors.Subsequent research should use remote sensing data to improve the accuracy of the regional scale and use machine learning to quantify the role of yield-limiting factors in yield gaps and the impact of change crop management on resource utilization efficiency,so as to propose reasonable and effective measures to close yield gaps.

Effects of Conservation Tillage on Crop Yield: a Case Study in the Part of Typical Ecological Zones in China

To evaluate the effects of different conservation tillage modes on crop yield in various ecological regions, we interviewed peasant households in the Northeast China Plain, North China Plain, Chengdu Plain, and Northwest China Oasis, China, to analyze the influencing factors of the tillage methods on crop yield. An index set was determined from seven yield parameters based on expert consultation and relevant literature. A comprehensive evaluation of conservation tillage methods in the various ecological regions was carried out using fuzzy theory. The approaches with the highest scores were identified for each region： wide and narrow rotation planting with high stubble standing retention in the Northeast China Plain; seeding after rotary tilled of wheat under corn straw mulching and no-tillage seeding of corn and other crops under wheat straw mulching in the North China Plain; no tillage with high stubble retention in the Northwest China Oasis; and no-tillage seeding of wheat and other crops under rice straw mulching in Chengdu Plain. These research data provide a useful guide for the selection of conservation tillage methods for optimum yields in different regions of China.

Development of powdery mildew resistant derivatives of wheat variety Fielder for use in genetic transformation

Genetic transformation is widely used to improve target traits and to study gene function in wheat.However,transformation efficiency depends on the physiological status of the recipient genotype and that is affected by several factors including powdery mildew(PM)infection.The widely used recipient variety Fielder is very susceptible to PM.Therefore,it would be beneficial to develop PM resistant derivatives with high regeneration ability for use in genetic transformation.In the present study PM resistant lines CB037 and Pm97033 carrying genes Pm21 and PmV,respectively,were backcrossed to Fielder with selection for PM resistance.Five lines,NT89,NT90,NT154,and WT48 with Pm21 and line FL347 with PmV were developed,identified by molecular markers and genomic in situ hybridization(GISH)or fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH),and further subjected to detailed assessment of agronomic traits and regeneration ability following genetic transformation capacity.Lines FL347,WT48,NT89 and NT154 assessed as being equal to,or superior,to Fielder in regeneration and transformation ability are recommended as suitable materials for the replacement of Fielder for wheat gene transfer and genome editing study.

Changes in grain-filling characteristics of single-cross maize hybrids released in China from 1964 to 2014

Grain filling is the physiological process for determining the obtainment of yield in cereal crops.The grain-filling characteristics of 50 maize brand hybrids released from 1964 to 2014 in China were assayed across multiple environments.We found that the grain-filling duration(54.46%)and rate(43.40%)at the effective grain-filling phase greatly contributed to the final performance parameter of 100-kernel weight(HKW).Meanwhile,along with the significant increase in HKW,the accumulated growing degree days(GDDs)for the actual grain-filling period duration(AFPD)among the selected brand hybrids released from the 1960s to the 2010s in China had a decadal increase of 23.41℃ d.However,there was a decadal increase of only 19.76℃ d for GDDs of the days from sowing to physiological maturity(DPM),which was also demonstrated by a continuous decrease in the ratio between the days from sowing to silking(DS)and DPM(i.e.,from 53.24%in the 1960s to 49.78%in the 2010s).In contrast,there were no significant changes in grain-filling rate along with the release years of the selected hybrids.Moreover,the stability of grain-filling characteristics across environments also significantly increased along with the hybrid release years.We also found that the exotic hybrids showed a longer grain-filling duration at the effective grain-filling phase and more stability of the grain-filling characteristics than those of the Chinese local hybrids.According to the results of this study,it is expected that the relatively longer grain-filling duration,shorter DS,higher grain-filling rate,and steady grain-filling characteristics would contribute to the yield improvement of maize hybrids in the future.