Part 2 of Climate-Ready Corn.
The next step was to develop models for corn growth and performance. Using performance data collected on corn varieties of known genetics and known climate conditions, the team developed a tool that would predict how the current corn varieties with known breeding strategies would perform in future conditions determined by the weather model.
Using the predictive data, they started to group corn varieties into those that could handle the changes in weather patterns better versus those that were likely to be less successful in future growing conditions. Using the traits of the more productive corn varieties, they developed new trait strategies and explored what strategies would perform best in future conditions.
One of the key findings of the research was the correlation between when the plant starts grain filling and the amount of leaf surface the plants have. Under current conditions, the successful strategy is for a corn plant to start the grain filling process early to allow for a longer filling season. The tradeoff is that leaf production ceases early as the plant start to move nutrients and energy to seed production.
When that strategy is grown in a warmer climate, the benefits of starting grain fill early with less leaf production was reduced.
Success in the Fields
“We saw that varieties that had larger leaf areas started their grain filling a little bit later could still have a long grain filling seasons resulting in larger yield,” she says.
Despite this, it was predicted that in the warmer climates, yield for all known corn varieties does decrease. It was also determined that corn plants that successful strategies include growing larger leaves and thicker canopies.
A warmer climate is going to accelerate plant growth, forcing it through the different growth stages faster. Which, despite having a longer available growing season, shortens the time the plant is filling grain.
Because the warmer climates offer longer growing seasons, successful corn strategies will be those that are designed to spend more time in each of the growth stages, both leaf production and grain filling. The positive tradeoff is that more leaf productions results in more photosynthesis within the plant and more energy production that can then be used during the grain filling stage.
Moving Toward a Resilient Crop
A larger and thicker canopy is also going to help retain soil moisture.
“We did assume a reduction in rainfall that is approximately what is expected,” she says. “Although rainfall changes are much less certain than expectations for changes in temperature.”
As the research continues, future simulations can be varied to account for more or less rainfall reduction. The team can then explore how moisture sensitivity will factor into successful strategies.
Swann describes her research as a “hypothesis building activity.” They are developing potential corn trait combinations or strategies that the models indicate will perform well in 10-15 years. The next step is to develop actual corn plants with these strategies and grow them in controlled conditions.
“Some groups have already selected and modified particular traits that they think would be helpful in a changing climate and grown the modified plants under controlled conditions,” Swann says. “I see our research as the step to take before that to hypothesize what traits you would try to modify.”
