Asociación de altura de planta y cosecha en maíz tropical

Abstract

By observation of field corn plots at the Everglades Experiment Station for the three years period from 1951 to 1953 and by reviewing the published literature of other workers of tropical areas, the author has arrived at the conclusion that there seems to be a definite correlation between the height of cornstalks and the yield of grain. It has been found that if stalks are shortened by breeding methods the reduction in height was paralleled by a reduction in yield. Long growing seasons and ample leaf surface are probably responsible for higher yields. Changes in latitude, elevation above sea level, soil fertility, cultural methods, or certain plant breeding methods, like breeding or crossing with non-tropical material, change the behavior of the corn plant in the tropics. If the environment is changed, the corn plant cannot manifest its true characteristics; consequently, heights and yields are erratic. The author carried out a number of experiments with material from several tropical locations to ascertain his thesis.