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Black Layer Maturity and Filling Period Variation Among Inbred Lines of Corn (Zea mays L.)¹

Kernels of 20 corn (Zea mays L.) inbred lines were examined for 3 years to determine variation for black layer maturity, filling period, and associated characters. The color of the black layer and the rate at which it developed at maturity varied among the inbreds. For each inbred, the black layer was observed at a time that was coincident with the observed maximum dry weight accumulation. Moisture content at the time of black layer maturity varied among the inbreds from 15.4 to 35.0%. Differences among inbreds were significant but year means did not differ. There was a significant year x inbred interaction.

The growing degree days required to reach black layer maturity varied from 1337 to 1808 and the growing degree days required for kernel filling varied from 512 to 821. Year differences were significant; however, interaction of inbreds with years was found to be minor. The variability among inbreds was always much greater than among years. The growing degree days required for the filling period had positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations with the growing degree days required from planting to pollination, but the correlations were small enough to suggest possible selection for types with long filling periods and short time to pollination. The rate of kernel dry weight accumulation during the filling period was significantly different among inbreds and years but had a significant inbred x year interaction. The rate of kernel dry weight accumulation was not correlated with any character other than dry weight at black layer maturity.

Key Words: Dry weight accumulation • Correlations • Growing degree days • Moisture content • Physiological maturity

² Former graduate assistant and Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Department of Agronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506.

Received for publication January 6, 1973.

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