Maize Improvement: Current Advances in Yield, Quality, and Stress Tolerance under Changing Climatic Scenarios

Maize is a major cereal crop globally, with China being the largest producer. Abiotic and biotic stresses negatively affect maize growth, development, production, and productivity. Genomics is important for elucidating the genetic architecture of complex quantitative traits and characterizing germplasm collections. Molecular breeding tools have led to the development of maize genotypes with higher yields, improved quality, and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Format: Hardback
Length: 333 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Maize, a widely cultivated cereal crop, holds a prominent position globally, trailing only wheat and rice in its cultivation. In China, it stands as the primary crop in terms of yield and land area, playing a crucial role in the country's agricultural landscape. According to statistics from 2012, the world's maize production reached approximately 840 million tons. For centuries, maize has been a staple food for a significant portion of the global population, particularly in regions such as South America and Africa. It serves as a vital nutrient resource for animal feed and various food industrial materials. The distribution of maize belts spans from the northern latitude of 58° to the southern latitude of 40°, with the crop ripening throughout the year. However, maize belts face numerous abiotic and biotic stresses that hinder its growth, development, production, and productivity. Abiotic stresses, which primarily include drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures, exert a detrimental impact on maize growth. Combined with biotic stresses, which primarily involve fungi, viruses, and pests, these stresses negatively affect maize's development, yield, and overall productivity. In recent years, intense droughts, waterlogging, and extreme temperatures have relentlessly plagued maize growth and yield. In China, approximately 60% of the maize planting area is susceptible to drought, resulting in annual yield losses ranging from 20% to 30%. Similarly, in India, 25% to 30% of maize yield is lost annually due to waterlogging. The biotic stresses on maize are primarily caused by pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These stresses lead to widespread syndromes such as ear/stalk rot, rough dwarf disease, and northern leaf blight, causing severe damage to the crop. Biotic stresses account for approximately 10% of the global maize yield loss each year. For instance, the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinianubilalis (Hübner), causes substantial yield losses in the northern regions of China, with annual losses reaching up to 2000 million dollars. In years when maize is severely affected by northern leaf blight, maize yield loss can reach as high as 50%. Furthermore, abiotic and biotic stresses often coexist simultaneously, exacerbating the challenges faced by maize farmers.

Weight: 676g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031216398
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023