Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7759-4722

Advisor

Dhillon, Jagmandeep S.

Committee Member

Jeffers, Daniel

Committee Member

Reed, Vaughn

Committee Member

Bheemanahalli, Raju

Committee Member

Henry, Brien W.

Date of Degree

5-16-2025

Original embargo terms

Embargo 2 years

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Plant and Soil Sciences (Agronomy)

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) is a staple food and feed worldwide, and it is imperative to fill the existing corn yield gap while maintaining its quality. Hybrid selection, agronomic optimum plant population (AOPP) and nitrogen rate (AONR) are key factors to consider for improving and maintaining corn yield and quality. However, the relationship between corn hybrids at variable planting densities across different N rates on plant morphology, grain yield, grain quality, and mycotoxin accumulation are not fully understood. Therefore, a two-year multi-site study aimed to assess how corn hybrids with and without Bt traits (DKC70-27 and DKC70-25, respectively), plant population (75,000, 87,500, 100,000, and 112,500 plants ha-1), and N rates (0, 112, 224, and 336 kg N ha-1) interact and impact plant characteristics, corn yield, quality and mycotoxin accumulation. This dissertation is organized into five chapters. Chapter I provides a general introduction. Chapter II presents a literature review focused on each parameter in the study. Chapter III investigates the impact of hybrids, plant population density, and N strategies on corn grain yield and quality, aimed to determine the AONR and AOPP for maximizing corn grain yield. Chapter IV explores hybrid, plant population, and N treatment impact on preharvest fumonisin contamination. Chapter V investigates the interplay of corn hybrids, plant population, and N rate on aflatoxin accumulation.

Sponsorship (Optional)

MAFES SRI

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