Popcorn stand reduction in the United States Midwest: Insights on plant traits and grain yield

Context

Crop yield losses due to plant stand reductions are well documented in field corn (dent type), but there is little information specific to popcorn’s yield losses. Current efforts to assess yield loss from stand reductions in popcorn rely on data generated on field corn genetics (dent type) which are not necessarily representative of popcorn genetics.

Objective

Evaluate remaining plant’s traits and grain yield in plots subjected to three stand reduction levels at three developmental stages.

Methods

A stand reduction study was established in Ohio and Nebraska from 2017 to 2019. The treatments included an untreated control, 25, 50, and 75 % stand reduction at V3, V8, and V13 development stages.

Results

Ear and grain yield of remaining plants increased with stand reduction. However, the yield increase per plant with lower stands was unable to offset the overall yield losses per hectare (due to fewer plants contributing to grain yield). Additionally, differences in plant traits were observed (e.g., plant height, lodging, grain moisture, ears plant⁻¹, tillers plant⁻¹), depending on stand reduction treatments and their timing.

Conclusion

individual popcorn plants exhibited some level of plasticity to partially offset yield losses from stand reductions at early and mid-vegetative stages. Per plant yield compensation capacity is greater when the stand reduction occurs earlier in the season.

Implications

Popcorn yield response to stand reduction was influenced by timing and intensity. Our findings will enable more accurate popcorn yield loss assessments and aid crop insurance and farmers in the US Midwest region.