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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #99378
Title: RESPONSES TO THREE CYCLES OF SELECTION FOR PLANT STANDABILITY WITH A CLAMP IN TWO MAIZE POPULATIONS

Author
item MCDEVITT, CONNIE - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item Darrah, Larry

Submitted to: NCR-167 Corn Breeding Committee Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant standability is an important factor contributing to yield in field corn. Ears can not be harvested if they are laying on the ground. Root and stalk lodging affect the quantity of harvestable ears and are traits that have been focused on by plant breeders for decades, each using his or her own method of evaluation, which was not necessarily consistent with work done by other researchers. A study was initiated to evaluate the pulling-clamp method of measuring root and stalk strength to determine gains obtained from three cycles of selection by using the clamp in two populations and their crosses, and to recommend the most efficient method of root and stalk strength improvement. The populations and their crosses were evaluated for vertical root pulling resistance (VRPR) using both the clamp and the Kellem (flexible-eye pulling grip) techniques. Rind penetrometer resistance and stalk crushing strength, along with other basic cagronomic traits, were also determined. Significant results obtained will be described with an indication of the direction of improvement. All significant changes were in a favorable direction. Correlation analysis revealed that the clamp VRPR and Kellem VRPR were highly correlated with a value of r=0.81**. It was determined that the clamp method of root and stalk evaluation had the same results as the Kellem method, the latter of which is more accurate and less labor intensive. Use of the rind penetrometer in conjunction with the Kellem is recommended to achieve further progress in standability improvement.