Recently, critical genes in maize that increase root lodging resistance were found by Chinese researchers, providing new promise for boosting planting density and crop production.
This is in accordance with a report released on Thursday by Science and Technology Daily.
The crop yield can be increased by planting maize more densely, however doing so would significantly raise the risk of root lodging.
This posed a serious threat to the growth of maize, lowering grain output and quality while raising harvest expenses.
ZmYUC2 and ZmYUC4 were discovered by scientists from the Biotechnology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other Chinese institutions. These genes control the structure of the roots of maize.
In comparison to wild-type plants, the study showed that the ZmYUC4 single mutant and ZUC 2/4 double mutant have larger brace root angles and clearly showed improved root lodging resistance.
The research gave agronomists useful targets for breeding root-lodging resistant maize cultivars that were suited for machine harvesting and high-density planting.
New Phytologist reported that the study had been published in the journal.
