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Genotype‐by‐Environment Interaction in Grain Sorghum. III. Modeling the Impact in Field Environments
Author(s) -
Hammer G. L.,
vanderlip R. L.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1989.0011183x002900020030x
Subject(s) - sorghum , hybrid , biology , irrigation , agronomy , crop , yield (engineering) , field experiment , gene–environment interaction , poaceae , genotype , biochemistry , materials science , gene , metallurgy
Models of crop growth and development provide tools for examining impacts of changes in physiological traits in field environments. We modified the sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] crop model, SORKAM, to include effects of genotype‐by‐environment interaction on ontogeny and radiation use efficiency of old and new sorghum hybrids. New hybrids are considered better adapted to more tropical environments. We simulated 40 y of yield data for five sites within the Great Plains from North Platte, NE (41° 9′ N lat.) to Weslaco, TX (26° 10′ N lat.). Simulated crops were fully irrigated and were planted at standard dates at each site. In this way, potential yield estimates were derived for each site. At two locations (Manhattan, KS, and Temple, TX), yield also was simulated without irrigation. Hybrid types differing only in ontogeny yielded similarly in either irrigated or dryland conditions. However, hybrids with enhanced radiation use efficiency at high temperature had increased potential yield at all sites. Average potential yield increased by 3, 18, 23, 26, and 27% for North Platte, Manhattan, Lubbock, Temple, and Weslaco, respectively. The increase was maintained under dryland conditions, but the magnitude was less at low yield level because of the dominating effect of water limitation. The trend in potential yield increase from north to south suggested the effect of temperature on radiation use efficiency was associated with the improved adaptation to more tropical environments shown by the new hybrids. However, the predicted trend was not entirely consistent with previous field studies, suggesting the need for research aimed at understanding what causes enhanced radiation use efficiency. This study demonstrated that modeling has an important role to play in linking physiological research with crop improvement. Modeling can improve relevancy of physiological research and application of that research to crop improvement.