By Scout Nelson
Weather patterns are becoming less predictable, while water supplies face growing pressure. These challenges encourage researchers to develop corn hybrids that can maintain good yields while using available water more efficiently.
Drought-resilient crops could help farmers manage changing growing conditions and limited water resources.
At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, plant geneticist Dr. James Schnable is studying how corn genetics respond to drought and nitrogen conditions.
The Nebraska Corn Board highlighted the importance of research that can help corn producers prepare for changing growing conditions. Researchers are looking for plant traits that improve water use and help crops continue growing when moisture is limited.
“Drought resilience can mean different things,” Schnable said. “Some plants slow down and wait for rain, while others continue to grow and make use of the water available to them. These unique responses can have implications on yield under less-than-ideal growing conditions.”
Developing a new corn hybrid can take seven to 10 years. Because of this long process, researchers need to identify plants that are likely to perform well under future growing conditions.
“The Nebraska of 2035 will be different from the Nebraska of today,” Schnable said. “Growing seasons are getting longer, water supplies are changing and farmers are facing new pressures related to irrigation and nitrogen use. The challenge is figuring out which hybrids we’re testing now will perform best under those future conditions.”
Researchers use modern tools to study corn plants. Drones, robots, satellite images, and artificial intelligence help measure root systems, plant canopies, and maturity.
These tools provide information about how different corn lines respond to limited water.
Public research also supports private corn breeding by creating new methods and knowledge.
Nebraska provides useful testing conditions because researchers can compare the same hybrids in rain-fed fields in eastern areas and irrigated fields in western areas.
“In Nebraska, we have a wonderful natural laboratory,” Schnable said. “In the laboratory, we can grow the same hybrids in rain-fed fields in the east and under fully irrigated conditions in the west, which allows us to study how corn responds to different water environments and generate insights that ultimately help farmers make more informed decisions.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-awakr10
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Corn, Weather