By Andi Anderson
A new international research project led by Purdue University aims to understand what makes some corn varieties more resistant to drought, helping farmers produce stable yields even under dry conditions. The study, led by Purdue’s College of Agriculture, involves scientists from the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
“Corn is one of the world’s most important crops. We know hybrids differ in yield stability, but we don't know why,” said the project’s lead researcher. “Our goal is to identify traits that make plants more climate-stable.”
Supported by funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation and Purdue’s Institute for Plant Sciences, the team is studying about 300 maize hybrids to find physiological traits linked to drought resilience. “We want to understand the biology of the adaptive characteristics behind productivity,” said another researcher involved in the project.
The scientists are using vegetation spectroscopy, a method that uses light reflectance to analyze plant characteristics. “With one measurement, you can estimate 50, 60 or even 70 traits non-destructively,” said a Purdue expert leading this part of the study. This high-throughput technology allows data collection from hundreds of plants per hour, speeding up research and improving accuracy.
International collaborators from the University of Nottingham in the UK and the Leibniz Institute in Germany bring expertise in plant microbiomes and root development, providing a complete view of how corn adapts underground and above ground. “This unique collaboration allows us to examine the shoots, roots and microbiome together for the first time,” said a German researcher.
The project also includes a partnership with Bayer Crop Sciences, combining academic research with industry expertise. Together, the partners will host training programs to help future scientists translate their findings into real-world agricultural applications.
By decoding the biological mechanisms behind drought resistance, Purdue and its global partners aim to future-proof corn production and strengthen global food security for years to come.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
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