Heterosis, the phenotypic superiority of first generation progeny over that of its inbred parents, has been extensively investigated. However, differences in the phenology and dynamic growth patterns between parents and offspring provide challenges in understanding causal factors behind superior trait values. For maize, manipulation of heterosis to increase grain yield has been of primary importance, and the number of spikelets that develop on the female inflorescence is the primary determinant of grain yield. The initial experiment examined heterosis in genetic backgrounds that led to minimal differences in phenology and plant architecture. Growth curves were used to characterize the dynamic expression of heterosis between the hybrid and the inbred parents for a series of vegetative and reproductive traits across stages of development. The second experiment was conducted to determine the effects that stress due to planting density might have on the number of properly developed spikelets, as the first experiment, along with results from the literature, provided evidence to suggest that a proportion of the later forming spikelets found on the distal portion of the female inflorescence were not capable of producing kernels. Results from the initial experiment suggested that expression of heterosis for individual characteristics – such as fresh weight, whose percent mid-parent heterosis was 82% at V4 and declined steadily to 17% at V11 – begins at a high level and decreased during development. On a whole plant level – as determined by a combined analysis of the values and growth rates of the individual characteristics – heterosis increases throughout development until it reaches a steady-state level. Results from the second experiment indicated that increasing plant density did not affect the total number of spikelets per ear but decreased the number of kernels per ear, and it was found that the number of properly developed spikelets per ear was equal to the number of kernels per ear in eight of the nine genotypes tested. Optimal growth stages for more in-depth investigation of transcriptomic changes that may identify causal genetic factors of heterosis for yield were not found, and stress increases the proportion of improperly developed spikelets causing a loss in kernel number. / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and Ontario Innovative Trust

Interspecific competition is comprised of both resource dependant and resource independent processes. While many studies have focused on the role that resource dependant competition plays in reducing crop yields, few have investigated whether resource independent effects, such as light or hormonal signaling, may contribute to these yield losses. The focus of this thesis was to investigate the role of the shade avoidance response in determining the onset and outcome of crop-weed competition in maize (Zea mays L.). The results of greenhouse and field trials demonstrate that shade avoidance in maize can be induced shortly after seedling emergence and that the effects of this early response can be detected throughout the entire life cycle of the crop. Seedlings exposed to a weedy or low red to far-red light (R/FR) environment at emergence displayed an initial increase in plant height and a reduction in the root-to-shoot ratio. These effects were followed by a reduction in the rate of leaf appearance (RLA) and a linear decline in biomass and leaf area (LA) as the duration of time spent in a weedy environment increased. Conversely, seedlings emerging in a weed-free or ambient R/FR environment were unaffected regardless the duration of time spent in the weedy environment. These effects of early crop-weed competition are distinct from those of plant population density (i.e., intraspecific competition). Results of a field trial demonstrated that intraspecific competition at a conventional density of 8 plants m-2 did not negatively impact RLA or biomass accumulation until well after the defined critical period for weed control. Moreover, intraspecific competition at 16 plants m-2 was not detected until the 12th leaf tip stage, suggesting that the effects of crop density are more closely associated with canopy closure than an early shade avoidance response. At maturity, seedlings that expressed shade avoidance at early stages of development set fewer kernels and partitioned less biomass to the developing ear. Shade avoidance also doubled the plant-to-plant variability in yield parameters without affecting the mean or frequency distribution of shoot biomass at maturity. When taken together, the results of these studies indicate that shade avoidance destabilizes stand productivity by increasing plant-to-plant variability in reproductive effort prior to intra- or interspecific competition for resources.

No studies have been conducted to explore the influence of stress caused by uncontrolled weeds on traits associated with drought tolerance. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) Delaying weed control would lengthen the anthesis-silking interval (ASI) in both a drought tolerant and non-drought tolerant maize hybrid and 2) The presence of drought tolerance genetics comes at a physiological cost, resulting in greater yield reductions under weedy conditions. Field studies were conducted to compare the response of a drought tolerant hybrid with its non-drought tolerant near-isoline to seven weed control timings. There was no treatment by hybrid interaction at any site-year for any parameters evaluated. Delaying weed control reduced height, leaf number, biomass, kernel number and grain yield and lengthened ASI for both hybrids. The drought tolerant hybrid had a shorter ASI, a lower kernel number and higher kernel weight. No yield differences were observed between hybrids at any weed control timing. / Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (File CRDPJ 425128-11), Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs

In general, yield reduction in most dryland maize growing areas of South Africa occur because seasonal rainfall distribution is erratic with annual variation that cannot be predicted accurately. Cultivar selection, planting date and plant density are other factors that consistently affect maize yield. Long growing season maize cultivars are higher yielding, particularly under conditions of good moisture and nutrient supply. However, as both moisture and nutrient availability becomes more limiting, yield tends to decline. Short growing season maize cultivars could yield more than long season counterparts because they can maximize the growing season and potentially reach the critical flowering stage before traditional midsummer droughts occur. The short growing season maize cultivars, which have only recently been developed, have traits, which can address the problem of reduced yield, which is ascribed to midsummer drought. There has been no previous effort to evaluate the effects of planting dates and plant densities on yield and yield components of these short and ultra-short growth period maize cultivars. This prompted research in the 2004/05 growing season. One field experiment was conducted at each of two selected areas (Bethlehem&Potchefstroom) in the “Maize Triangle” of South Africa. The aim was to evaluate the response of short and ultra-short growth period maize cultivars to planting dates and plant densities at two localities with distinct environmental conditions. The effects of planting date, plant density and cultivar on yield and yield components were investigated. Both yield and yield components were affected by planting date, plant density and cultivar at both localities. At both localities early and optimum planting dates as well as low and optimum plant densities promoted increases in yield components, which contributed to increased grain yield. As for the cultivars, PAN6017 proved to be the most consistent since it out-performed other cultivars in terms of both vegetative growth, yield components and grain yield at both localities. At both localities, plant height, leaf area index and dry matter yield were affected by both planting date and plant density, with optimum planting date and optimum plant density contributing to highest yield components and yield. PAN 6017 was superior to the other cultivars at all planting dates and plant densities at both localities. In order to make findings from a study such as this applicable to the “Maize Triangle”, more research on short and ultra-short growth period maize cultivars should be conducted over a wider range of locations and seasons. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Agronomy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / M Inst Agrar / unrestricted