Abstract:

Mechanized grain harvesting of maize reduces the manual removal of bracts and threshing and drying in the harvesting process, which can save labor cost and has important significance for improving the economic benefits of maize planting, but few varieties suitable for mechanized grain harvesting have been reported. In this study, a new mechanical grain harvesting variety ‘LT5918’, suitable for spring sowing in early-maturing and middle-late-maturing areas in Shanxi Province, was selected and identified in multi-ecological areas for many years, with high yield, density tolerance, multi-resistance and suitable mechanized grain harvesting as the breeding objectives. It was approved by Shanxi Crop Variety Examination and Approval Committee in 2018. Compared with the control variety, the average yield of ‘LT5918’ increases by more than 5%, and the stalk is strong, lodging-resistant, dewatering fast, and suitable for mechanical grain harvesting, the variety could be a material foundation for improving the mechanized harvesting degree of maize, reducing labor costs and ensuring food security.

Key words: Zea mays, mechanized grain collection, ‘LT5918’, density resistance