Chongqing – The Institute of Maize and Specialty Crops at Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences has achieved a breakthrough, identifying that at least 700 spikelets per tassel are essential for heat-resistant maize to ensure pollination and stable yields under high temperatures.
"It offers essential guidance for corn-growing regions globally, particularly those frequently impacted by extreme climate conditions," said Dr. Dong Xin from the Institute of Maize and Specialty Crops, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, in an exclusive interview with Bridging News on October 15.
Dr. Dong noted that after multi-year, multi-location field trials on over 320 core inbred corn lines from China and the U.S., the team found that modern corn varieties have reduced heat tolerance due to decreased tassel opening capacity.
"Our findings show that modern breeding strategies, which prioritize yield, have inadvertently overlooked the detrimental impact of high-temperature environments, weakening corn’s ability to withstand extreme climate events," Dr. Dong explained. Preliminary estimates from the study indicate that approximately 23.7% of global corn planting areas are at risk of heat stress during the flowering period.
Dr. Dong explained that high temperatures during corn pollination have become a major yield constraint with rising global temperatures and more frequent heat waves. Heat stress damages tassels, reducing pollen dispersal and lowering pollination and yields.
"Through a combination of theoretical modeling and field trials, we have established the critical threshold for the number of spikelets in tassels, offering a clear direction for heat-resistant corn breeding," said Dr. Dong. "Therefore, the development of heat-resistant varieties has become a key focus in corn breeding innovation both nationally and in our region."
Chongqing, located in southwest China, is known as a "furnace" city due to its persistently high temperatures. This makes it an ideal testing ground for breeding heat-resistant corn varieties.
Dr. Dong noted that corn varieties capable of withstanding Chongqing's intense heat offer valuable reference points for breeding efforts in other regions. The research team's current findings are part of a broader collaborative effort with China Agricultural University and the Biotechnology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
They plan to extend the application of this research to areas severely impacted by high temperatures, such as the Southwestern plains and the Huang-Huai-Hai region, which refers to the areas around the Yellow River (Huang), Huai River (Huai), and Hai River (Hai) basins.
Looking ahead, Dr. Dong and his team plan to further investigate the impact of heat stress on male and female corn reproductive organs, focusing on identifying heat-tolerant genes that can be combined with high-yield traits.
"As climate change increases the frequency of heat waves, droughts, and diseases, corn breeding must prioritize not only yield but also resistance to heat and disease," Dr. Dong emphasized. "Our ongoing research aims to develop more stable and heat-resistant varieties to ensure the sustainability of global corn production."
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