Crop Science Grow Your Career with CSSA
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Published in Crop Sci 9:473-476 (1969)
© 1969 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Daynard, T. B.
Right arrow Articles by Duncan, W. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Daynard, T. B.
Right arrow Articles by Duncan, W. G.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Daynard, T. B.
Right arrow Articles by Duncan, W. G.

The Black Layer and Grain Maturity in Corn1

T. B. Daynard and W. G. Duncan2

At maturity a black closing layer develops in the placental region of corn (Zea mays L.). The suitability of this black layer as an indicator of physiological maturity was studied in four hybrids of a range in maturity. As viewed by the naked eye the layer developed in 3 days or less, and its appearance coincided with the achievement of maximum kernel dry weight. An examination of a wide range of genotypes indicated that the black-layer formation is a common feature of commercial hybrids at maturity.

An investigation of incompletely developed florets on partially barren ears or in the tip region of normal ears revealed black-layer formation in those showing limited endosperm development. No black-layer development was seen in nonfertilized or parthenocarpic florets.

The cause and mechanisms of black-layer formation are unknown. However, it is speculated that such development is related to assimilate movement into the developing floret.

Key Words: Grain filling period • Floret abortion

1 Contribution of the Department of Agronomy, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. The investigation reported in this paper (No. 68-3-141) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with approval of the Director. Partial support from the National Research Council, Canada, is gratefully acknowledged.

2 Former Research Associate (Present address: Crop Science Department, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada) and Professor of Agronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky. 40506.

Received for publication January 9, 1969.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
R. G. Sala, F. H. Andrade, and M. E. Westgate
Maize Kernel Moisture at Physiological Maturity as Affected by the Source-Sink Relationship during Grain Filling
Crop Sci., March 1, 2007; 47(2): 711 - 714.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
K. E. D'Andrea, M. E. Otegui, A. G. Cirilo, and G. Eyherabide
Genotypic Variability in Morphological and Physiological Traits among Maize Inbred Lines--Nitrogen Responses
Crop Sci., April 25, 2006; 46(3): 1266 - 1276.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Agron. J.Home page
S. G. Elias and L. O. Copeland
Physiological and Harvest Maturity of Canola in Relation to Seed Quality
Agron. J., September 1, 2001; 93(5): 1054 - 1058.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Agron. J.Home page
F. H. Andrade, M. E. Otegui, and C. Vega
Intercepted Radiation at Flowering and Kernel Number in Maize
Agron. J., January 1, 2000; 92(1): 92 - 97.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
The SCI Journals Agronomy Journal Vadose Zone Journal
Journal of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences Education		 Soil Science Society of America Journal
Journal of Plant Registrations Journal of
Environmental Quality		 The Plant Genome
Copyright © 1969 by the Crop Science Society of America.