Impact of environmental stress on length of maize grain filling period

Authors: Abendroth, Lori

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The length of the grain fill period is shortened by environmental stress which is particularly impactful to maize yield in Missouri. This production area falls between the Midwest and Midsouth regions and presents unique challenges including high summertime temperatures and shallower soils that require timely rainfall to sustain grain filling. These reasons provided the motivation for an experiment exploring the amount of shortening that occurs during the grain fill period, particularly in the “dough” and “dent” stages (reproductive stages 4 and 5). This research is focused on refining our understanding about the thermal time (and calendar days) for these grain fill stages when stress is present and how much impact it has on yield formation. Five site-years of research were conducted in central and southeast Missouri. Two corn hybrids were grown in each site-year ranging in relative maturity (RM) from 109 to 120 RM. Several site-years received irrigation due to high sand content and to prevent crop failure. Measurements included crop developmental stages, kernel moisture measured nondestructively with a SCiO meter, leaf area measured nondestructively with an EarthSense TerraSentia robot, vegetative and reproductive biomass samples collected, and 100 ct. seed weight. This research benefits the U.S. farmer by identifying key periods of stress impacting maize yields and farm management strategies that can be employed to minimize the influence.