Jinhua  Cheng , Wei  Wang

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Field Crop, 2025, Vol. 8, No. 6   
Received: 10 Sep., 2025    Accepted: 26 Oct., 2025    Published: 11 Nov., 2025

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.

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.

Maize; High-density planting; Anti-lodging property; Corn field performance; Breeding strategy