Method of test environments selection for corn lodging resistance

Lodging is a major stress of maize. In order to improve the efficiency of lodging resistance detection of new varieties, high stress location must be selected as a test environment. In this study, firstly, corn lodging mechanism and wind stress probability model were researthed. Secondly, lodging probability of each meteorological station caused by wind stress was calculated. Then, lodging probability was obtained for all counties in Northeast and North China, the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, by using Spatial Interpolation and Regional Statistical Analysis. Finally, the test environments selection analysis for corn lodging resistance was conducted. The results show that: counties with lodging probability above 60% are suitable for alternative environments, lodging will certainly happen among 3-5 locations in each year; the average critical lodging probability of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain is higher than that of the Northeast and North China, the available counties for critical lodging in the two regions is 54, the severe is 16, and the medium is 21. The method provides a quantitative operation for test environments selection decision-making. The lodging probability of environment trials can be significantly improved, which contributes to test lodging resistance of new varieties sufficiently and reduces extension risk.