A Portable Electronic Device for Evaluating Root Lodging Resistance in Maize

Abstract

Because climatic conditions conducive to natural lodging of maize (Zea mays L.) are sporadic and unreliable, a need exists for methods of evaluating the resistance of genotypes to root lodging. A portable electronic device was built for horizontal pushing resistance measurements on individual plants. The apparatus simultaneously records the angle of inclination and the resistance torque of the plant during an artificial pushing test. The device consists of a support, a force sensor, an angle sensor, and a control head. Data logging is possible by using a microprocessor‐based system. Data may be transferred to a computer using an RS232 serial transfer protocol. The time required for the test in field conditions is approximately 1 min per plant. Preliminary results obtained on 14 maize genotypes grown in three field environments showed that genotypes susceptible to root lodging were characterized by low average values of their maximum resistance torque.

Observational Study on the Recovery from Root Lodging at Flowering Time and Yield Reduction in Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Rainstorms do not usually affect plots within trials uniformly (Fouéré et al 1995). However, collection of data from standard check cultivars in the 25 trials provided various environmental conditions that offered random effect assessment of the lodging to grain yield and agronomic traits.…”

“…Root lodging is characterized by a leaning from the vertical of intact maize stalks (Fouéré et al 1995), while stalk lodging manifests as breakage of the stalk below the uppermost ear. Of the two types of lodging, stalk lodging has by far the greater consequence for yield reduction, but it is less common compared to root lodging.…”

“…Root lodging is often caused by corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp. ), wind pressure, rain and subsequent wet soil or a combination of these factors (Melchinger et al 1986;Hebert et al 1992;Stamp and Kiel 1992;Fouéré et al 1995). Also, agronomic practices such as higher planting density (Liu et al 2012) and extravagant use of chemical fertilizers can predispose the crop to root lodging.…”

Effect of Planting Density on Root Lodging Resistance and Its Relationship to Nodal Root Growth Characteristics in Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…The plants of treated plots were manually pushed at 0.20 m above the ground perpendicular to the direction of the row. (Fouéré et al, 1995).…”

Utilizing Temporal Measurements from UAVs to Assess Root Lodging in Maize and its Impact on Productivity

“…Root lodging in particular occurs very irregularly across environments as it is 57 influenced by a multitude of factors such as soil quality and fertility, wind patterns and pest and 58 disease pressures making it challenging to maintain consistent progress in selection Garcia et al, 2003; Stamp & Kiel, 1992). To aid in studying root lodging responses, several 60 traits have been utilized to indirectly measure lodging resistance including the horizontal 61 pushing resistance, root pulling resistance, root volume by water replacement, root clump size 62 and weight, and more recently root failure moment (Ennos et al, 1993;Fouéré et al, 1995; Thompson, 1968). These however 64 are destructive and labor-intensive measurements.…”