Inheritance of potassium, calcium and magnesium status in maize (Zea mays L.) plants

Abstract

Six maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and their 30 single-cross hybrids were grown under field conditions on an eutric cambisol. Grain yields of the hybrids ranged from 7.3 to 11.2 t ha^-1. Hybrids of the Os 138–9 parent had the highest grain yield (mean often hybrids: 9.8 t ha^-1), while inclusion of the ND246 inbred line as a parent resulted in lowest yields (mean 7.9 t ha^-1). Depending on hybrid, nutrient composition of the ear-leaf at the silking stage ranged (mg g^-1 on dry matter basis) from 17.3 to 24.2 for K, from 6.6 to 11.6 for Ca and from 4.9 to 9.0 for Mg. In general, ear-leaf nutrient status was under significant genetic influence. Also, a genetically-induced negative correlation between ear-leaf concentrations of K and Mg was found (r = -0.61, p < 0.01). However, there was poor correlation between grain yield and nutrient status of corn, probably because of adequate soil fertility. A Similar investigation under stress conditions could also be more useful (for example, in K-deficient soils).