Corn Tiller Yield Contributions are Dependent on Environment: A 17 Site-Year Kansas Study

Historic breeding efforts in corn (Zea mays L.) have resulted uniform, single-stalked phenotypes with limited potential for environmental plasticity. Therefore, plant density is a critical yield component corn, as unable to successfully compensate deficit of plants. Other grass crop species can overcome deficits via vegetative branching (tillering), but this trait historically undesirable corn. Improving flexibility across densities has benefits, particularly considering diverse environments and seasonal weather uncertainties due climate change. The present study evaluated tiller presence two hybrids range the state Kansas identify impacts usefulness plasticity Tiller was identified neutral or additive final yields, fine-tuning confirmed key maximizing grain yields. Tillers stabilize yields productive environments. This capability may offer source production stability growers when develop after planting.