Corn response to long‐term seasonal weather stressors: A review

Abstract

Long‐term weather patterns (environmental conditions or stresses exceeding 10 days in length) have the potential to influence corn (Zea mays L.) growth, development, and yield. This review summarizes the current knowledge (with emphasis placed on the Midwestern U.S. production environment) on how long‐term weather conditions affect corn growth and yield, including (i) drought and heat stress, (ii) solar radiation, and (iii) distribution of heat unit accumulation during the season. Each section contains summaries of how these environmental factors influence corn growth and yield and provides context into past events experienced. The focus of the review is on dent corn grown for grain production, though relevant issues related to other types (i.e., silage corn) are included. This review also discusses agronomic recommendations or considerations to help alleviate the negative effects of stress conditions and identify areas where future research would be beneficial to continue improving the resiliency of corn cropping systems. Periods of high heat and water deficit as well as limited light availability challenge the ability to maximize yield production in corn. Temperature affects crop growth and development through the season, and accurately describing phenological progression using heat unit accumulation is a challenge. Advances in corn breeding and genetics, hybrid selection, and agronomic management practices will be key to ensuring long‐range productivity and fully leveraging possible benefits from the shifts in long‐range weather patterns.

Severe storm damage and short‐term weather stresses on corn: A review

“…impacts, like those of extended periods of high temperatures and drought, light availability, and distribution of heat unit accumulation during the season are outside of the scope of the current review and were previously summarized in Ortez et al (2023). Throughout this paper, the staging system outlined in Abendroth et al (2011) has been used to describe corn growth stages, but references to alternate descriptions have been retained when a direct translation to a vegetative growth stage was not possible.…”

Inundation impacts on diversified pasture biomass allocation and soil particulate organic matter stocks

“…In the Midwest U.S., heavy rainfall events that drive short‐term soil inundation have been observed with increasing frequency, especially during spring and summer (Mallakpour & Villarini, 2015, 2016). In Ohio, reports on inundation and subsequent damage to corn, soybean and hayfields are increasingly common through the years (Lindsey et al, 2017; Lindsey et al, 2022; Ortez et al, 2022; Turner, 2017). Inundation affects soil properties, mainly by reducing oxygen availability and reducing redox potential (Sánchez‐Rodríguez et al, 2019) and ultimately impacts plant growth due to reduced photosynthesis rates and nutrient uptake, which reduces C fixation potential and yields (Ploschuk et al, 2017; Tong et al, 2021).…”