Abstract Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is traditionally known for its better adaptation to drought when compared to other cereals like maize (Zea mays L.). However, genetic gains are significantly higher for maize than for sorghum, and are known to include drought tolerance. We analyzed maize and sorghum harvested area, yield, and yield stability using publically available farm data from 1970 to 2016 in Argentina, where both crops are sown across a large environmental gradient (water balance from ca.−400 to −1100 mm year−1). Yield stability was assessed by analyzing county yield residuals relative to average yields. Both crops had comparable yields in 1970, but showed a different yield progress (ca. 110 kg ha−1 year−1 or 1.73 % year−1 and 62 kg ha−1 year−1 or 1.26 % year−1 for maize and sorghum, respectively). Yield difference in favor to maize became more evident since late 90´s, together with the introduction of genetically modified (GM) materials in this crop. Today this consistent maize yield advantage over sorghum is observed across all regions, even those with more frequent water shortages. It also impacted in the maize area, being 6-fold larger than that of sorghum in 2016. Sorghum yield stability was traditionally higher than that of maize (maize yield relative residuals were 4–15 % higher than that of sorghum), but today both crops have similar yield stability in most regions. Yield progress showed comparable rates to reported genetic gains for maize (0.85–1.74 % year−1), but not for sorghum (0.09 % year−1). The contrasting investment in breeding, GM traits, and agronomy explains major differences between crops, and can be extrapolated to other countries where both crops have differential genetic yield gains. Sorghum yield stability is desirable in marginal areas, but alternative benefits (higher residue, non-GM gluten free grain for specialty markets) might be more important in the future for promoting this crop.

中文翻译：

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玉米的长期遗传进展解释了阿根廷目前对高粱的主导地位

摘要 与玉米 (Zea mays L.) 等其他谷物相比，高粱 (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) 传统上以其对干旱的更好适应而闻名。然而，玉米的遗传收益明显高于高粱，并且已知包括耐旱性。我们使用阿根廷 1970 年至 2016 年的公开农场数据分析了玉米和高粱的收获面积、产量和产量稳定性，这两种作物均在大环境梯度下播种（水平衡从约−400 到−1100 毫米年−1 ）。通过分析相对于平均产量的县级产量残差来评估产量稳定性。两种作物在 1970 年的产量相当，但表现出不同的产量进展（玉米和高粱约 110 kg ha-1 year-1 或 1.73 % year-1 和 62 kg ha-1 year-1 或 1.26 % year-1 ， 分别）。自 90 年代后期以来，随着在该作物中引入转基因 (GM) 材料，有利于玉米的产量差异变得更加明显。今天，所有地区都观察到这种玉米产量优于高粱的一贯优势，即使是那些缺水更频繁的地区。它还影响了玉米面积，2016 年是高粱的 6 倍。高粱产量稳定性传统上高于玉米（玉米产量相对残差比高粱高 4-15%），但今天两者都作物在大多数地区具有相似的产量稳定性。产量进展显示出与报告的玉米（0.85-1.74 % year-1）的遗传增益相当的比率，但高粱（0.09 % year-1）则不然。在育种、转基因性状和农学方面的对比投资解释了作物之间的主要差异，并且可以外推到两种作物具有不同遗传产量增益的其他国家。高粱产量稳定在边缘地区是可取的，但替代收益（更高的残留物，专业市场的非转基因无麸质谷物）在未来推广这种作物可能更重要。