The stability and variability of maize kernel moisture content at physiological maturity

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) kernel moisture content at physiological maturity significantly differs among hybrids and is affected by the environment. Nonetheless, 35% was previously reported and is widely accepted as the moisture content at physiological maturity. To verify whether the 35% moisture content could be applied to various hybrids and regions, a multi‐area, multi‐year trial was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in six locations in different maize‐planting regions of China. Time‐series kernel moisture contents and kernel dry weights were investigated for 156 hybrids in total to ascertain the growth pattern of the percentage maximum kernel dry weight as a function of kernel moisture content. The growth patterns were fitted with a tri‐linear model with a plateau, and at the point at which the percentage maximum kernel dry weight first reached its maximum (physiological maturity), the kernel moisture contents were 32% for summer maize, 34% for spring maize, and 38% for Daqing (a special spring maize region). We found that regional variation existed in kernel moisture content at physiological maturity. The regional average moisture content at physiological maturity could thus be used as an indicator to determine physiological maturity for most hybrids in the region. In addition, varietal differences in moisture content could be accounted for when using the regional average value.

A 30-m annual maize phenology dataset from 1985 to 2020 in China

“…Earth System Science Data correlation of derived maturity dates of spring maize and corresponding records from AMS is relatively low, likely attributed to the discrepancies of the definitions between remotely sensed results and AMS. For instance, the v3 phase in AMS is defined as the date when the third leaf is exposed from the second leaf sheath, and the maturity is defined as the date when the dry weight of maize grains first reaches the maximum, more than 80% of the outer bracts of the plants turn yellow, the filaments become dry, and the grains harden (Li et al, 2021). These definitions in AMS are challenging to be measured from remote 5 sensing, and they are slightly different in terms of their definitions.…”

“…Accurate and timely crop phenology information, which contains multi-phase growth information from sowing to harvest, is highly required by precision agriculture management (Gao and Zhang, 2021;Zeng et al, 2020), such as irrigation schedules and pest control. The agriculture management schemes should be precisely scheduled according to different growth phases, during which period the water requirements and the possibilities of pest and disease events are different (Yang et al, 2021;Xiao et al, 2020).…”

“…The annual variations of crop phenology are affected by many factors, including climate conditions, soil properties, and anthropogenic activities (e.g., sowing dates) (He et al, 2020). The traditional in-situ based crop phenology recording is timeconsuming and focused on limited sites (Gao and Zhang, 2021). These limitations have been considerably mitigated by satellite images, which provide revisit observations of crop growth at regional and global scales (Shanmugapriya et al, 2019;Zhang et al, 2003;Cao et al, 2015).…”

A 30 m annual maize phenology dataset from 1985 to 2020 in China

“…Accurate and timely crop phenology information, which contains multi-phase growth information from sowing to harvest, is highly required for precision agriculture management (Gao and Zhang, 2021;Zeng et al, 2020), such as irrigation schedules and pest control. The agriculture management schemes should be precisely scheduled according to different growth phases, during which period the water requirements and the possibilities of pest and disease events are different Xiao et al, 2020).…”

Physiological Influence of Stalk Rot on Maize Lodging after Physiological Maturity

“…When kernel moisture content is higher than 19.9%, kernel breakage rate increased with the increase of kernel moisture content [2]. However, currently, the main maize cultivars planted in China always have a longer growth period with a slower dehydration rate of the kernel, such that kernel moisture content at physiological maturity is 32% for summer maize and 34% for spring maize [3]. The kernel moisture content reduces with the extension of the plant standing duration in the field [4,5], while there is an increased risk of lodging during grain dehydration in the field after PM [6,7].…”