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An ideotype of maize

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Summary

We have proposed breeding a maize (Zea mays L.) ideotype that will maximally utilize an optimum production environment. This environment should include: a) adequate moisture; b) favorable temperatures throughout the growing season; c) adequate fertility; d) high plant densities; e) narrow row spacings; and f) early planting dates. The maize ideotype that should produce optimally when grown in such an environment would be characterized by: a) stiff, vertically-oriented leaves above the ear (leaves below the ear should be horizontally oriented); b) maximum photosynthetic efficiency; c) efficient conversion of photosynthate to grain; d) short interval between pollen shed and silkemergence; e) ear-shoot prolificacy; f) small tassel size; g) photoperiod insensitivity; h) cold-tolerance in germinating seeds and young seedlings (for genotypes grown in areas where early-planting would require planting in cold, wet soils); i) as long a grain-filling period as practically possible; and j) slow leaf senescence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, 50010, Ames, Iowa, USA

    J. J. Mock & R. B. Pearce

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  1. J. J. Mock
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  2. R. B. Pearce
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Journal Paper No. J-8108 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. Ames, IA 50010. Projects 1836 and 1990.

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Mock, J.J., Pearce, R.B. An ideotype of maize. Euphytica 24, 613–623 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00132898

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00132898

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