Ear Height and Weight as Related to Stalk Lodging in Maize 1

Measurements of ear height, ear weight, and a potential torque index were made on individual plants jointly chosen from within 972 hills of maize ( Zea mays L.). A stalk lodged and unbroken plant in each hill were measured. Plants were classified as stalk lodged or unbroken plants whether or not they were root lodged. The measurements on each were then compared. A paired Student's t test was used to see if stalk lodged and unbroken plants differed for the traits measured. Potential torque was calculated by multiplying ear height by ear mass. No relationships were found between ear height, ear weight, or potential torque and stalk lodging. The results are encouraging to those using stalk lodging in selection indices.