Drought tolerant maize hybrids have higher yields and lower water use under drought conditions at a regional scale

Drought is an enduring abiotic constraint to stable and consistent maize productivity under climate change, especially for low rainfall regions with limited irrigation. One adaptation severe drought using drought-tolerant (DT) hybrids. Here, we characterize differences between conventional DT hybrids in terms of yield water-use efficiency conditions at a regional scale the Texas High Plains (THP). Using validated version APSIM-Maize, simulated yields across 11 water regimes 25 counties THP from 1984 2018. When irrigation amounts were constrained 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% 50% total used baseline scenario (BS; hybrid full irrigation), showed lower penalties stress relative This improved production by 19%, 24%, 26%, 21% each above levels. yield-target was set as BS, applied could be saved more than that hybrid, therefore reduced 17%, 16%, 15%, 15% BS irrigation, respectively. We had greater gain savings through deficit highlighting potential increasing adoption hybrid. Our quantitative evaluation advantage saving associated also highlighted benefits adaptive