The effect of shoot maturation on total biomass production in maize

Pulam, Rawikarn

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/29429 Copy

Description

Title

The effect of shoot maturation on total biomass production in maize

Author(s)

Pulam, Rawikarn

Issue Date

2012-02-01T00:46:03Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Moose, Stephen P.

Department of Study

Crop Sciences

Discipline

Crop Sciences

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• maize
• biofuel
• biomass
• shoot maturation
• photoperiod sensitivity

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays) is a photosynthesis-efficient C4 grass, a group considered to be a potentially valuable source of lignocellulosic biomass. Previous studies have indicated the potential for higher total biomass production from maize genotypes with delayed shoot maturation, which accumulate more stover at the expense of grain yield. However, genetic variation for total biomass yields or their response to nitrogen has not been characterized extensively among maize hybrids with delayed shoot maturation. The objective of this study was to directly compare total biomass yields among a diverse group of maize hybrids where shoot maturation was delayed in two ways: either by crossing genetically diverse temperate-adapted inbreds with photoperiod-sensitive inbreds of largely tropical origin, or by overexpression of the maize Glossy15 gene in different temperate-adapted hybrids. Biomass and nitrogen accumulation in stover and grain were evaluated for these genotypes in field trials on nitrogen-limiting (no supplemental fertilizer) or nitrogen-sufficient soils (200 kg N fertilizer per hectare). The results obtained demonstrate that use of either photoperiod-sensitivity genes or Glossy15 can variably delay shoot maturation and reduce harvest index in a wide diversity of temperate-adapted backgrounds. When appropriately optimized for local adaptation, maize hybrids with delayed shoot maturation can produce higher total biomass yields under N-limiting conditions.

Graduation Semester

2011-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29429

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2011 Rawikarn Pulam

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