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Content archived on 2024-06-10

Fitting maize into cropping systems on acid soils of the tropics

Objective

The main objectives are as follows:
* To develop screening procedures for aluminium (Al) resistance in maize.
* To develop screening techniques for phosphorus (P) efficiency in maize.
* To select and breed maize cultivars with improved adaptation to acid soils high in Al and low in P.
* To evaluate the site specificity of acid soil resistance of maize cultivars.
* To improve the in-depth knowledge of the physiological mechanisms responsible for Al resistance and P efficiency in maize.
* To screen a larger maize germplasm based on this physiological understanding.
* To improve the quantitative understanding of the comparative advantage of the genetic and agronomic approaches to solve the problem of maize production on acid soils.
* To develop agronomic techniques for good maize seedling-establishment in acid soils.
* To develop a simulation model which allows to predict the performance of a maize seedling in a specific acid soil.
Expected Outcome

It is expected that the project contributes to the development of maize cultivars and accompanying agronomic technologies for natural recource-friendly, sustainable, and economic cultivation of maize on the acid soils of the world with special emphasis on South America.
Plant improvement
Field screening of divers genetic material on acid tropical soils using standardized experimental conditions at several field sites in the tropics, carefully characterized for soil characteristics. Further improvement of quick laboratory screening techniques for Al resistance (root elongation, callose formation, hematoxylin staining) and correlation to field screening.

Agronomy
Long-term field experiments are established at the tropical sites on acid soils. Factorial treatments comprise 2 lime rates, 2 P rates, 3 organic manure rates, and 3 maize cultivars differing in adaptation to soil acidity. Measurements to be taken each year are: analysis of soil chemical and biological characteristics, shoot and root growth, yield, nutrient status and uptake of maize. In addition, in field and laboratory studies, different factors affecting seedling viability in an acid soil environment such as localized lime application and N amount and source will be studied in more detail.

Plant / soil interaction
A mathematical model based on two variable charge exchangers (soil, root) linked by the soil solution will be further developed and validated under controlled conditions and evaluated by comparison with data measured under field conditions. Possible interacting effects of N source, Mg deficiency, Mn toxicity, and organic soil compounds on Al toxicity will be taken into consideration.

Physiology
The fundamental role of organic ligands and polyamines and the possible role of polypeptides and proteins in Al toxicity and resistance of maize cultivars is studied under controlled conditions. A technique will be developed which allows the rapid characterization of the P efficiency of maize cultivars, and possible physiological mechanisms of P efficiency in relation to Al resistance will be studied.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER
EU contribution
No data
Address
Herrenhaeuser Strasse 2
30419 HANNOVER
Germany

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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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Participants (6)

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