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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #94056
Title: COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF PUNCTURING THE INTERNODE BELOW THE PRIMARY EAR WITH AN ELECTRONIC RIND PENETROMETER VS ASSESSMENT OF STALK QUALITY USING STALK CRUSHING STRENGTH IN MAIZE

Author
item NGURE, M - E AFRICAN AGR FOR ORG
item Darrah, Larry

Submitted to: East African Agriculture and Forestry Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Maize stalk lodging causes annual yield losses of 5-25% in the United States and remains an important selection criterion for maize breeders. Selection techniques that reduce time and effort, produce more repeatable results, and that are easily adapted are desired. The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between stalk crushing strength using the second elongated internode section and rind penetrometer resistance measured by puncturing the internode below the ear attachment node in the MoSQA and MoSQB synthetic maize populations. Significant gains from stalk strength selection were realized in both populations. A significant correlated response in rind penetrometer resistance was observed. Selection for stalk crushing strength emphasized strength of the lower part of the stalk vs. strength up to the ear attachment node. Measurement of rind puncture resistance of the rind by using the electronic crind penetrometer at the internode below the ear offers advantages of significantly increased speed and efficiency of operation and is recommended over stalk crushing strength for stalk strength improvement. By using the rind penetrometer resistance of the internode below the ear attachment node, maize breeders will much more efficiently improve resistance to stalk lodging.

Technical Abstract: Stalk lodging in maize (Zea mays L.) contributes to yield losses of 5-25% in the United States annually and remains an important selection criterion for maize breeders. Selection techniques that reduce time and effort, produce more repeatable results, and that are easily adapted are desired. The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between stalk crushing strength using the second elongated internode section and rind penetrometer resistance measured by puncturing the internode below the ear attachment node in the MoSQA and MoSQB synthetic maize populations. Averaged over MoSQA and MoSQB, the direct responses to stalk crushing strength selection were -6.7%/cycle for the low direction of selection and 8.8%/cycle for the high direction. The correlated response to selection for rind penetrometer resistance for both populations averaged -1.3%/cycle for the low direction of selection and 1.1%/cycle for the high direction. Selection for stalk crushing strength emphasized strength of the lower par of the stalk vs. strength up to the ear attachment node. Rind penetrometer resistance showed a highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.86**) with stalk crushing strength. Measurement of rind puncture resistance of the rind by using the electronic rind penetrometer at the internode below the ear offers advantages of significantly increased speed and efficiency of operation.