Field Crop 2025, Vol.8, No.6, 265-273 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 265 Research Insight Open Access High-Density Planting Combined With Lodging-Resistance Traits Improves Field Performance in Maize Jinhua Cheng, Wei Wang Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: wei.wang@jicat.org Field Crop, 2025, Vol.8, No.6 doi: 10.5376/fc.2025.08.0027 Received: 10 Sep., 2025 Accepted: 26 Oct., 2025 Published: 11 Nov., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Cheng and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Cheng J.H., and Wang W., 2025, High-density planting combined with lodging-resistance traits improves field performance in maize, Field Crop, 8(6): 265-273 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2025.08.0027) Abstract High-density planting is an important means to increase the yield per unit area of corn, which is conducive to making full use of light and heat resources and optimizing the photosynthetic efficiency of the population. However, the consequent risk of lodging has significantly increased, seriously affecting the field performance, grain filling and mechanical harvesting efficiency of corn. This study systematically explored the synergistic relationship between high-density planting and lodging resistance traits. It sorted out the related genetic, physiological basis and breeding progress from aspects such as stem strength, root structure and plant type regulation. Through the analysis of the research progress of key lodging resistance genes and QTL, it clarified the important role of lodging resistance traits in high-density breeding. And an integrated path of molecular marker-assisted selection and compact plant type cultivation was proposed. Field cases taking Northeast, North China and Southwest China as examples show that the collaborative optimization of germplasm traits and cultivation management measures is conducive to achieving high-density and stable yields. This study aims to establish a sustainable and mechanized corn production system and promote the application of smart agriculture in anti-lodging planting. Keywords Maize; High-density planting; Anti-lodging property; Corn field performance; Breeding strategy 1 Introduction Planting corn more densely is a path that countries have had to take in recent years in order to increase the yield per unit area. The reason behind this approach is actually not complicated - there is not enough land, but the demand for food is still on the rise. Against this backdrop, high-density planting has gradually become the "default option" for increasing production. Especially with the improvement of breeding levels and field management techniques, more and more corn varieties can withstand the pressure of dense planting, and the suitable density in various regions is also quietly increasing. In a country like the United States, the planting density has increased from 55 000 plants per hectare to nearly 100 000 plants over the past few decades, and the output has also doubled accordingly. China and other major producing countries are also following a similar path (Ren et al., 2025). However, in fact, the ability to adapt to high density does not only rely on "planting well", but also makes significant contributions from hybrids - structural features such as short stalks, upright leaves, and deep roots not only resist compression but also make more efficient use of water, fertilizer and light. However, things are not that simple. It's good to plant densely, but once management is inadequate or the varieties are not resistant to being squeezed, problems will arise immediately when competition breaks out. When there is insufficient light and the plants cannot compete with water and fertilizer, they start to "grow taller", resulting in elevated panicle positions and soft stems. When a storm came, some fields collapsed before they could be harvested. Lodging is not merely about reducing production. Mechanical harvesting has also become a problem, delaying agricultural work and easily affecting the quality of grains. Especially for those hybrid varieties with overly tall plants and insufficiently hard stems, they are more prone to problems under density pressure. At this point, relying solely on one breeding or a single measure is not sufficient. Efforts should be made simultaneously from both the breeding and cultivation levels. This study aims to systematically evaluate how the combination of high-density planting and lodging resistance traits improves the field performance of corn, review the genetic, physiological and agronomic factors affecting
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