Will future maize improvement programs leverage the canopy light-interception, photosynthetic, and biomass capacities of traditional accessions?

PeerJ

article

Ahamadeen Nagoor Mohamed Mubarak¹  Mohammathu Musthapha Mufeeth Mohammathu¹  Arachchi Devayalage Nishantha Thissa Kumara¹ 

[1] Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

关键词: Chlorophyll content;    Fractional interception;    Leaf area index;    Light extinction coefficient;    Photosynthetic rates;    Biomass;    Grain yield;    Radiation use efficiency;    Canopy architecture;    Water use efficiency;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.15233

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Maize germplasm has greater latent potential to address the global food and feed crisis because of its high radiation, water and nutrient efficiencies. Photosynthetic and canopy architectural traits in maize are important in determining yield. The present study aimed to screen a subset of local maize accessions in Sri Lanka to evaluate their photosynthetic, biomass and yield related traits and to identify resource efficient germplasm. Experiments were carried out in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka. Eight maize accessions viz; SEU2, SEU6, SEU9, SEU10, SEU14, SEU15, SEU17 and SEU17 and two elite F1 cultivars (cv. Pacific-999 and cv. Bhadra) were analyzed under field conditions. Our results showed that maize genotypes produced a lower leaf area index (LAI) at the third and tenth week after field planting (WAP). However, the LAI was significantly increased in six WAP by Pacific-999, SEU2, SEU9, and SEU1564%), and decreased at 10 WAP. In addition, LAI maximum values were between 3.0 and 3.5, allowing 80% of the incident light to be intercepted by maize canopies. The estimated light extinction coefficient (k) remained lower (<0.5), suggesting that maize leaves are eractophilic canopies. Although fractional interception (f) varies, SEU2 and SEU90.73) in dark-adapted leaves. In addition, Pacific-999, SEU2, SEU9, and SEU17 had significantly higher rates of photosynthesis with minimal stomatal conductance and transpiration rates. As a result, they outperformed the control plants in terms of biomass, cob weight and grain yield. This suggests that native maize germplasm could be introduced as novel, less resource-intensive cultivars to sustain global food security.

【 授权许可】

CC BY