Maize lodging resistance: Stalk architecture is a stronger predictor of stalk bending strength than chemical composition

The chemical composition of grain stalks has been extensively studied and has long been assumed to have a major influence on stalk lodging. However, much less attention has been given to the influence of stalk architecture (i.e. physical features of anatomy and morphology). We show in this study that stalk architecture is far more influential on stalk bending strength (a common measure of lodging resistance) than chemical composition. This insight was obtained through the novel combination of structural engineering prin-ciples and a plant-by-plant experimental design using two major grain species (maize and sorghum). Lodging resistance was quantified using stalk bending strength which provides plant-specific data while also removing dependence on weather events. Stalk anatomy and morphology as and chemical composition of the stalk were also measured for each spec-imen in this study. Statistical results indicate that (a) the quantification of stem architec-ture via engineering beam theory is four times more predictive of stalk bending strength than composition, and (b) stalk architecture and chemical composition are interrelated. These results explain why previous studies attempting to link chemistry and lodging have been inconsistent. Furthermore, these results indicate that future studies aimed at studying lodging must not overlook the dominant influence of stalk architecture.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IAgrE. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

The chemical composition of grain stalks has been extensively studied, but less attention has been given to the influence of stalk architecture. This study shows that stalk architecture has a greater influence on stalk bending strength than chemical composition. The results indicate that future studies on lodging should consider the dominant influence of stalk architecture.