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Selection for Early Flowering in Corn 1
Author(s) -
Troyer A. F.,
Brown W. L.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1972.0011183x001200030014x
Subject(s) - biology , stalk , zea mays , selection (genetic algorithm) , yield (engineering) , agronomy , growing season , horticulture , trait , breakage , zoology , botany , materials science , artificial intelligence , computer science , metallurgy , composite material , programming language
Three late, serai‐exotic corn ( Zea mays L.) synthetics were selected (5% level) for early silking by sib‐mating over a six‐generation period; then the seven cycles (including original forms) were compared in performance trials at three plant densities over 2 years. Virtually every ' trait measured changed significantly due to selection only for early flowering. Effect per cycle averaged: 1.00 q/ha yield increase; 1.2 points of percent H 2 O decrease; 2.8% stalk breakage increase; 7.2‐cm plant height decrease; 5.2‐cm ear height decrease; 1.8 days less to flower; and 0.3 days less silk delay. The decrease in silk delay suggests that the method may be useful in selecting materials for adaptation to high plant densities. We observed a maturity‐influenced cycle‐by‐year interaction for yield where early flowering cycles had a distinct advantage in a cool, short season.