b'with known breeding strategies would perform in future condi-tions determined by the weather model.Using the predictive data, they started to group corn varie-ties 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 suc-cessful 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 FieldsWe saw that varieties that had larger leaf areas started their grain filling a little bit later could still have a long grain filling sea-sons resulting in larger yield, she said.A warmer climate will accelerate plant growth. 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 nations that do not currently exist in the varieties availableandgrowing larger leaves and thicker canopies. investigate how those trait combinations will perform in futureA warmer climate is going to accelerate plant growth, forc-climate conditions. For those prediction models, they can iden- ing it through the different growth stages faster. Which, despite tify the trait combinations that seed producers may want to starthaving a longer available growing season, shortens the time the breeding for. plant is filling grain. The first step in this research is to develop climate modelsBecause the warmer climates offer longer growing seasons, and predictions for future climate changes.successful corn strategies will be those that are designed to spend more time in each of the growth stages, both leaf production and Simulating the Seasons grain filling. The positive tradeoff is that more leaf productions We started with meteorological station observations, actualresults in more photosynthesis within the plant and more energy measured meteorology, said Swann. We did that to get asproduction that can then be used during the grain filling stage. good of information as possible of the correlation between dif-ferent environmental variables. Moving Toward a Resilient CropFor example, the collected data included how much sunlightA larger and thicker canopy is also going to help retain soil was coming at a specific time, what temperature the sunlightmoisture. was coming in and what the humidity was at that time.We did assume a reduction in rainfall that is approximately By starting with measured data, Swanns team was able towhat is expected, she said. Although rainfall changes are much remove some of the biases that can come in when develop- less certain than expectations for changes in temperature.ing weather models. They then were able to start adjusting theAs the research continues, future simulations can be varied weather model for known climate change conditions.to account for more or less rainfall reduction. The team can We stuck to the things we think we know well; we know thatthen explore how moisture sensitivity will factor into successful temperatures will increase, she says. Then we made simplestrategies. assumptions about other environmental variables. Swann describes her research as a hypothesis building They took the present-day observations and increased theactivity. They are developing potential corn trait combinations temperatures. They also explored possible reductions in rainfall,or strategies that the models indicate will perform well in 10-15 staying consistent with other climate prediction models.years. The next step is to develop actual corn plants with these strategies and grow them in controlled conditions.Designing Corn for the Future Some groups have already selected and modified particu-The next step was to develop models for corn growth and per- lar traits that they think would be helpful in a changing climate formance. Using performance data collected on corn varieties ofand grown the modified plants under controlled conditions, known genetics and known climate conditions, the team devel- said Swann. I see our research as the step to take before that to oped a tool that would predict how the current corn varietieshypothesize what traits you would try to modify.SW18/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2024'