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Root Characteristics of 44 Maize Inbreds Evaluated in Four Environments 1
Author(s) -
Jenison J. R.,
Shank D. B.,
Penny L. H.
Publication year - 1981
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/cropsci1981.0011183x002100020007x
Subject(s) - biology , zea mays , resistance (ecology) , agronomy , poaceae , dry weight , horticulture , botany
To study root characteristics, as well as potential tolerance to corn rootworms ( Diabrotica spp.) of northern‐adapted genotypes, 44 maize ( Zea mays L.) inbreds were evaluated at two locations in both 1974 and 1975 for vertical‐pull resistance at the pretassel and kernel milk stages of plant growth and, for root dry weight and root spread at the later growth stage. The inbreds also were evaluated at one location in 1975 for root‐rot resistance at the kernel dent stage of growth to determine its effect on pull resistance. Highly significant differences existed among inbreds for all characters measured. Although interactions of inbreds with environments were evident, the magnitude of these interactions were relatively small when compared to the differences among inbreds. Highly significant positive rank correlations for inbreds between environments were found for vertical‐pull resistance at both pretassel and milk stages; root dry weight; and nodal root spread. A highly significant simple correlation (r = 0.61) was found between root rot and percent loss in vertical‐pull resistance at the dent stage. The root characteristics measured appear to be relatively stable over environments and effective selection for each should be possible.