Nutrient efficiency and yield stability. New objectives in maize breeding - Low-input as a variety trait

摘要

Low-input maize varieties are desirable to decrease the concentrations of nitrate in ground- and surface water. N efficiency is a genetic trait, and can therefore be modified to make varieties better adapted to low N environments. Ideally, varietiesshould be able to perform well in both intensive and extensive cultivation systems. Therefore breeding for yield stability is also an important objective. Ways are discussed to standardize N-efficiency evaluations in variety trials.