Welcome to Acta Agronomica Sinica，

Acta Agron Sin ›› 2011, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (09): 1605-1615.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1006.2011.01605

• TILLAGE & CULTIVATION · PHYSIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mechanism of Maize Kernel Setting and Characteristics of Kernel Growth and Development Studied by Controlling Pollination

FENG Han-Yu,WANG Zhi-Min,KONG Fan-Na,ZHANG Min-Jie,ZHOU Shun-Li*   

  1. Key Laboratory of Farming System, Ministry of Agriculture / College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
  • Received:2011-02-11 Revised:2011-04-27 Online:2011-09-12 Published:2011-06-28
  • Contact: 周顺利, E-mail: zhoushl@cau.edu.cn

PDF

1274

Cited

2

Abstract: In order to clarify the characteristics of kernel growth and development within different maize ear regions and their relationships, the changes of kernel weight and kernel volume of fertilized ovaries, and their relationships with kernel setting rate of three maize cultivars were studied by three types of controlling pollination, including no-pollination within middle or basal region of ear (type I), no-pollination of whole row filaments of ear (type II) and preferred pollination of apical-middle filaments of ear (type III). The results showed that the weight and volume of apical kernel were improved and developed normally, but the ear kernel number and ear kernel weight decreased by applying the controlling pollination. For the apical kernel of type I, there were no significant differences in weight and volume compared with the middle or basal kernel of the treatment of complete pollination at the same time and the treatment of natural pollination, but the weight and volume of the apical kernel was the smallest in a maize ear. The kernel setting rate was improved in type II and type III. Correlation analysis showed that grain dry weight and volume were significantly positively correlated with kernel setting rate at P<0.01 in type II but significantly negatively at P<0.05 in type III. These data indicate that the apical kernel of maize ear can develop normally and its kernel weight also can be regulated, the shortage of nutrient supply may be the fundamental reason of the abortion and lower weight of apical kernels, and it is an effective practice to improve ear kernel weight by enlarging the source and sink.

Key words: Maize, Controlling pollination, Kernel abortion, Kernel weight, Kernel setting rate

[1]Gao X-Z(高学曾), Wang Z-X(王忠孝), Xu J-F(许金芳), Luo Y-N(罗瑶年), Liu Y-J(刘玉敬). Relationship between yield and grain number per ear, 1000-grain weight of maize. Shandong Agric Sci (山东农业科学), 1989, (2): 4–7 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[2]Chen G-P(陈国平), Wang R-H(王荣焕), Zhao J-R(赵久然). Analysis on yield structural model and key factors of maize high-yield plots. J Maize Sci (玉米科学), 2009, 17(4): 89–93 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[3]NeSmith D S, Ritchie J T. Effects of soil water-deficits during tassel emergence on development and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.). Field Crops Res, 1992, 28: 251–256
[4]Otegui M E, Andrade F H, Suero E E. Growth, water use, and kernel abortion of maize subjected to drought at silking. Field Crops Res, 1995, 40: 87–94
[5]Zheng Z-L(郑卓琳), Hu Y-H(胡寅华). Studies on interrelationships between the type, shape, and critical stage of female ear florets in maize (Zea mays L.) and kernal formation. J Agric Univ Hebei (河北农业大学学报), 1990, 13(4): 34–38 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[6]Otegui M E. Kernel set and flower synchrony within the ear of maize: II. Plant population effects. Crop Sci, 1997, 37: 448–455
[7]Zhao T-H(赵天宏), Shen X-Y(沈秀瑛), Yang D-G(杨德光). Effect of water stress on maize kernel yield and ear characteristics during tasselling stage. Liaoning Agric Sci (辽宁农业科学), 2002, (6): 5–7 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[8]Hashemi A M, Herbert S J, Putnam D H. Yield response of corn to crowding stress. Agron J, 2005, 97: 839–846
[9]Shen L-X(申丽霞), Wang P(王璞), Lan L-W(兰林旺), Sun X-H(孙西欢). Effect of nitrogen supply on carbon-nitrogen metabolism and kernel set in summer maize. Plant Nutr Fert Sci (植物营养与肥料学报), 2007, 13(6): 1074–1079 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[10]Hanft J M, Jones R J, Stumme A B. Dry matter accumulation and carbohydrate concentration patterns of field-grown and in vitro cultured maize kernels from the tip and middle ear positions. Crop Sci, 1986, 26: 568–572
[11]Boyle M G, Boyer J S, Morgan P W. Stem infusion of liquid culture medium prevents reproductive failure of maize at low water potential. Crop Sci, 1991, 31: 1246–1252
[12]Hanft J M, Jones R J. Kernel abortion in maize: II. Distribution of 14C among kernel carbohydrates. Plant Physiol, 1986, 81: 511–515
[13]Sun G-W(孙国伟), Zhang F-L(张凤路), Guo J(郭江), Zhao J-R(赵久然), Guo J-L(郭景伦). Discuss on the cause of maize kernel abortion. J Maize Sci (玉米科学), 2004, 12(S2): 35–37 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[14]Ho L C. Metabolism and compartmentation of imported sugars in sink organs in relation to sink strength. Annu Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol, 1988, 39: 355–378
[15]Cheng C Y, Lur H S. Ethylene may be involved in abortion of the maize caryopsis. Physiol Plant, 1996, 98: 245–252
[16]Hanft J M, Reed A J, Jones R J, McLaren J S. Effect of 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid on maize kernel development in vitro. J Plant Growth Regul, 1990, 9: 89–94
[17]Reed A J, Singletory G W, Schussler J R, Williamson D R, Christy A L. Shading effects on dry matter and nitrogen partitioning, kernel number, and yield of maize. Crop Sci, 1988, 28: 819–825
[18]Setter T L, Flannigan B A. Sugar and starch redistribution in maize in response to shade and ear temperature treatment. Crop Sci, 1986, 26: 575–579
[19]Hu Y-H(胡寅华). The effect of defolliar on ear character and yield of summer maize. J Maize Sci (玉米科学), 1996, 4(1): 46–50 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[20]Egharevba P N, Horrocks R D, Zuber M S. Dry matter accumulation in maize in response to defoliation. Agron J, 1976, 68: 40–44
[21]Tian H-Y(田海云), Yin Z-R(尹枝瑞), Li W-Y(李维岳). Corn grain development and its relationship with the cultivation conditions. Jilin Agric Sci (吉林农业科学), 1981, (3): 22–26 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[22]Yin Z-R(尹枝瑞), Li W-Y(李维岳). Preliminary study on maize floret and kernel number. Jilin Agric Sci (吉林农业科学), 1986, (1): 1–5 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[23]Li B-H(李伯航), Cui Y-H(崔彦宏). Studies on the relationship between endosperm cell development and kernel weight of summer-maize (Zea mays L.). J Agric Univ Hebei (河北农业大学学报), 1989, 12(4): 399–451 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[24]Zhao K-F(赵可夫). Crop Physiology (作物生理学). Jinan: Shandong Science and Technology Press, 1980. pp 331–359 (in Chinese)
[25]Yu S-R(俞世蓉). The impact of pollination conditions on maize seed. Jiangsu Agric Sci (江苏农学报), 1963, 2(4): 81–93 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[26]Li C(李纯), Long Z-R(龙正容), Zhang H-N(张会南), Zuo X-L(左小龙). Studies on the characteristics of maize flowering in Hefei area. J Anhui Agric Sci (安徽农业科学), 1986, (1): 24–27 (in Chinese)
[27]Zhang F-L(张凤路), Cui Y-H(崔彦宏), Wang Z-M(王志敏), Zhao M(赵明), Wang S-A(王树安), Zhao J-R(赵久然), Guo J-L(郭景伦). Studies on the relation between pedicel vascular development and maize kernel abortion. J Agric Univ Hebei (河北农业大学学报), 1999, 22(1): 16–19 (in Chinese with English abstract)
[1] Liang Jin-Yu, Yin Jia-De, Wang Hong-Li, Zhang Guo-Ping, Hou Hui-Zhi, Dong Bo, Ma Ming-Sheng. Estimation of leaf nitrogen content in dryland forage maize using UAV-based hyperspectral imaging and machine learning [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(6): 1788-1801.
[2] Zhang Hong-Rong, Wang Fei-Er, Li Pan, Qiu Hai-Long, Zhu Jing, Zhao Lian-Hao, Nan Yun-You, He Wei, Fan Zhi-Long, Hu Fa-Long, Chai Qiang, Yin Wen. Photosynthetic characteristics of 20% reduced irrigation combined with 25% organic substitution for chemical fertilizer in increasing silage maize yield [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1487-1500.
[3] Yang Yang, Chang Shi-Hui, Tian Hong-Li, Yi Hong-Mei, Wang Lu, Ren Jie, Fan Ya-Ming, Liu Ya-Wei, Wang Feng-Ge, Zhao Jiu-Ran. Genetic diversity analysis of nationally approved maize varieties in different ecological regions [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1352-1364.
[4] Yang Xin-Yu, Cui Wen-Tao, Dilinigeer Alimu, Wang Kai-Xiang, Wu Peng-Hao, Ren Jiao-Jiao. Genome-wide association and genomic selection analysis of the number of leaves above the ear in maize [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1573-1590.
[5] Han Ya-Xin, He Guan-Hua, Zhang Xiao-Qiong, Zhang Deng-Feng, Li Yong-Xiang, Liu Xu-Yang, Wang Tian-Yu, Li Yu, Zou Hua-Wen, Li Chun-Hui. Identification of maize lateral root density genes resources through integrated RNA-seq and BSA-seq analyses [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1341-1352.
[6] Sun Shu-Feng, Xu Zhen-Nan, Huang Jia-Xin, Weng Jian-Feng, Li Xin-Hai. Genome-wide identification of the maize MAPK gene family and its response to Fusarium verticillioides infection [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1291-1308.
[7] Zhang Ning-Ning, Teng Yu-Fei, Ren Na-Na, Wei Xing-Zhuo, Yan Shu-Hao, Fan Ke-Xin, Wang Yong-Hong, Chen Wen-Kang, Zhang Xing-Hua, Zhu Wan-Chao, Xu Shu-Tu, Xue Ji-Quan. Phenotypic evaluation and plasticity analysis of drought resistance in 201 maize inbred lines [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1309-1325.
[8] Cai Hong-Wei, Yu Ai-Zhong, Jiang Ke-Qiang, Wang Peng-Fei, Wang Yu-Long, Huo Jian-Zhe, Pang Xiao-Neng, Yin Bo, Shang Yong-Pan. Key mechanisms underlying the enhancement of sweet maize yield through partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manure in arid irrigation districts [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(4): 1166-1180.
[9] Tian Hong-Li, Yang Yang, Fan Ya-Ming, Yi Hong-Mei, Guo Dan-Dan, Wang Feng-Ge, Zhao Jiu-Ran. A novel set of tri-allelic variant SNP loci suitable for maize variety identification [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(4): 993-1005.
[10] Guo Xiang-Yang, Tu Liang, Wang Dong, Liu Peng-Fei, Wang An-Gui, Yi Qiang, Ren Hong, Li Gang, Zhu Yun-Fang, Wu Xun, Jiang Yu-Lin, Tian Feng, Chen Ze-Hui. Application and prospects of Suwan germplasm in maize breeding in China [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(3): 655-664.
[11] Ma Liang, Ma Lu, Zhang Shu-Yu, Zhang Hui-Min, Wang Ren-Ming, Song Xu-Dong, Zhang Zhen-Liang, Mao Yu-Xiang, Lu Hu-Hua, Chen Guo-Qing, Hao De-Rong, Zhou Guang-Fei. Transcriptome analysis and identification of candidate genes associated with husk number in maize [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(3): 790-801.
[12] Meng Cheng, Wang Zhe. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the ZmPFK gene family under biotic and abiotic stresses in maize [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(3): 764-779.
[13] Li Xin-Hao, Xing Meng-Ke, Zhou Zi-Hui, Li Si-Ye, Ren Hao, Wang Hong-Zhang, Lai Hua-Jiang. Exogenous melatonin enhances heat tolerance of maize at the seedling stage by coordinating light and dark reactions [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(3): 839-856.
[14] Liu Ji-Chang, Li Si-Ye, Li Xue-Ting, Wang Hong-Zhang, Liu Peng, Zhang Ji-Wang, Zhao Bin, Ren Bai-Zhao, Ren Hao. Effects of salt stress on root growth and nutrient absorption efficiency of different salt-tolerant summer maize varieties [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(2): 565-577.
[15] Lin Zi-Qing, Zhong Xing-Yu, Liu Fan, Ren Zi-Ao, Ma Rui, Deng Xiu-Feng, Wang Dong-Wei, Liu Shao-Peng, Chen Kang, Zhang Ming-Cai, Li Zhao-Hu, Zhou Yu-Yi, Duan Liu-Sheng. Development of ultra-high-yield technology for a wheat-maize double cropping system achieving a 2-ton annual grain yield per mu in the coastal plain of Northern Shandong peninsula, China [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(2): 631-643.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!
Add: No. 80 Xueyuan South Rd, Beijing 100081, P. R. China E-mail: zwxb301@caas.cn
Supported by Beijing Magtech Co.Ltd