Protecting the Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.): The Role of Root SystemArchitecture

Blissett, Elizabeth

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/49068 Copy

Description

Title

Protecting the Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.): The Role of Root SystemArchitecture

Author(s)

Blissett, Elizabeth

Contributor(s)

Bohn, Martin

Issue Date

2014-05

Keyword(s)

Crop Sciences

Abstract

Not only in the U.S. Midwest but worldwide, the production of maize (Zea mays L., corn) is a crucial part of agricultural production without which societies could not thrive. Modern agricultural producers face more challenges than ever. As the world population grows, there is global concern over how to substantially increase production. With a finite amount of land suitable for farming, this production will not come from increasing acreage. Depleting aquifers, growing concerns of drought and climate change, and the negative impact of over-fertilization on the environment, make developing cultivars that are tolerant of stressed growing conditions necessary to feed the planet. However the mechanisms of response, which allow maize to tolerate abiotic stresses like drought and low nutrient availability, are not well understood. My research focuses on understanding how two extreme root phenotypes relate to biomass production of maize plants grown in water and nitrogen limited conditions. Developing novel protocols for field and greenhouse trials has allowed for optimized growth and observation of lifetime biomass production data including root system isolation. This offers a unique and valuable perspective into how plants allocate resources as well as the relationship root systems have with sustained yield in stressed growing environments.

Type of Resource

• text
• image

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/49068

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Copyright 2014 Elizabeth Blissett

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