Selection and Relationships between Growth Characteristics of Silage Corn after Excess Water Treatment in Early Growth Stage

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted in a phytotron to evaluate and select wet-resistant silage corn from 111 corn hybrids (CHs) under simulated heavy rain falls (80 mm for the 1st day and 50 mm from the 2nd till 11th day at 21±3oC) started at the 3rd leaf stage or 28 days after seeding. Growth related characteristics including dry weight of shoot, root, and leaf blade as well as leaf area, plant weight balance, and culm diameter were evaluated. Corn hybrid (CH) no.62 showed the tallest plant height and no.96 was the shortest. CH no.96 expressed the highest weight balance and no. 88 was the lowest. CH no.59 gave the highest dry weight of shoot and no. 25 was the lightest. CH no.91 measured the thickest culm diameter at the basal 10 cm but no.24 was the thinnest. Dry weight of the basal 10 cm from culm was heaviest in no. 42 and lightest in no.25. Dry weight of root was highest in no.113 and lowest in no. 16. Dry weight of leaf area was heaviest in no.85 but lightest in no. 25. Analysis of coefficient of correlation positively connected culm diameter, plant height, and root weight to leaf area as well as culm diameter and plant height to root weight, while plant height and weight balance were negatively correlated. Weight balance to culm diameter or leaf area and culm diameter to root weight was not related.