INFLUENCE OF CYTOPLASMIC EFFECTS ON SOME AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN CORN

Abstract

Diallel crosses involving eight inbred lines of corn were produced and the resultant single crosses were grown in field plots with reciprocal crosses placed in contiguous rows. All plants under observation were detasselled and natural pollination was permitted with one pollen source. Maturity-related characteristics, including days to midsilking, plant height, ear height, rate of ear moisture depletion, and ear moisture content at harvest, were recorded in the field. Differences between reciprocal crosses under these conditions were interpreted as being due to extra chromosomal influence. Of signal importance is the fact that no real differences were observed between reciprocals with regard to rate of ear moisture depletion; however, significant differences were noted for days to midsilking, ear and plant height, and ear moisture content at harvest.