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Crop response of drought-tolerant and conventional maize hybrids in a semiarid environment

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Abstract

In the High Plains, corn (Zea mays L.) is an important commodity for livestock feed. However, limited water resources and drought conditions continue to hinder corn production. Drought-tolerant (DT) corn hybrids could help maintain high yields under water-limited conditions, though consistent response of such hybrids is unverified. In this two-year study, the effects of three irrigation treatments were investigated for a DT and conventional maize hybrid, Pioneer AQUAMax P0876HR and Pioneer 33Y75, respectively. In 2013, the drier of the 2 years, irrigation amounts and crop water use (ETc) were greater for the conventional hybrid, but grain water use efficiency (WUE) and harvest index were significantly greater for the DT hybrid. In 2014, grain yields and WUE were not significantly different between hybrids. However, irrigation amounts, ETc and biomass yields were greater for the conventional hybrid. Results from both years indicate that the DT hybrid required less water to maximize grain yield as compared to the conventional hybrid. Producing relatively high yields with reduced amounts of water may provide a means for producers to continue corn production in a semiarid environment with declining water supplies.

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Notes

  1. The mention of trade names, commercial products or companies in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX, USA

    Ryan B. Mounce & Brock C. Blaser

  2. USDA-ARS, Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX, USA

    Susan A. O’Shaughnessy, Paul D. Colaizzi & Steven R. Evett

Authors
  1. Ryan B. Mounce
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  2. Susan A. O’Shaughnessy
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  3. Brock C. Blaser
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  4. Paul D. Colaizzi
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  5. Steven R. Evett
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan A. O’Shaughnessy.

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Communicated by E. Fereres.

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Mounce, R.B., O’Shaughnessy, S.A., Blaser, B.C. et al. Crop response of drought-tolerant and conventional maize hybrids in a semiarid environment. Irrig Sci 34, 231–244 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-016-0497-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-016-0497-5

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