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Zinc Deficiency Symptoms and Zinc and Phosphorus Interactions in Several Strains of Corn ( Zea mays L.) 1
Author(s) -
Halim A. H.,
Wassom C. E.,
Ellis R.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1968.00021962006000030007x
Subject(s) - zinc , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , phosphorus , phosphorus deficiency , zea mays , biology , agronomy , genotype , poaceae , horticulture , resistance (ecology) , zoology , chemistry , biochemistry , gene , organic chemistry
Zinc deficiency studies were conducted on several inbreds and single crosses of corn in the field and growth chambers. The degree and pattern of zinc deficiency symptoms varied with plant genotype. Some inbreds showed early resistance, becoming susceptible at later stages of growth. Other lines showed the reverse effect, that is, susceptible in early stages of growth and resistant later. Single crosses of these lines resulted in high resistance to zinc deficiency. The appearance of the root system indicated that highly resistant lines had normal and healthy root development whereas susceptible lines had reduced root development and decayed root tips. Differences in zinc and phosphorus accumulations were found in the leaf tissue, but levels of zinc and phosphorus showed no association with zinc deficiency symptoms. High phosphorus did not appear to reduce the uptake of zinc when lines were considered as a whole. However, high phosphorus appeared to reduce the dry weights of the plants. Zinc content of some seed sources varied among lines but phosphorus level showed no marked variations. Lines expressing early resistance had higher seed zinc content and late resistant lines had lower seed zinc content. The nature of resistance to zinc deficiency appeared to be under genetic control.