Exam 1 Flashcards
2019
What is the formula for GDU’s?
[(max temp + min. temp)/2)]-Crop threshold temp.
What is limits on GDU calculation?
Temps must be between 50F and 86F.
What is threshold temp for corn?
Corn-50F
How do you figure the accumulated GDU’s to-date?
Do the formula for each day and add the answers together.
What are GDU’s used for?
- when pollination should occur
- when black layer should be reached
Why is seedling establishment critical to corn plants?
Because the seed coat is broken and several organisms immediately begin attacking the new sprout.
What is the most common corn planting depth?
2”
What does Fergie plant corn at here at MSU Farm? Why?
2-1/2” to 3” because of blackbirds
Vegetative Stage of Growth for corn is classified by:
The number of collars on leaves that are visible.
What occurs at V6 in corn?
- The growing point (meristem) is now at the soil surface
- Tassel development begins
What happens at V8 in corn?
- ear initiation begins
- # of rows of ovules which potentially will be kernels starts to be determined
- between V8 and V12, number of ovules per ear is determined
What happens at V12 in corn?
-# of ovules per ear has been set
What is an ear of corn? Where do ear shoots form? How many develop into a full ear?
- An infloresence structure that terminates on lateral branches on the corn.
- An ear shoot will form on every above-ground node 6-8 nodules below the tassel.
- Only the upper 1 or 2 will fully develop into an ear
What is VT in corn? What has occured at this point?
- The tasseling stage
- The tassel has emerged but the silk has not.
What is R1 in corn?
When does it occur in corn?
- Beginning of the reproductive stage
- Silking occurs (becomes visible outside of ear)
- Occurs 1-3 days after VT
What is the silk on corn?
The stigma and style (part of the pistol) of the female flower on the ear.
What is R2 in corn?
Blister stage
What is R3 in corn?
Milk Stage
What is R4 in corn?
Dough stage
What is R5 in corn?
Dent stage
What is R6 in corn?
Physiological maturity is reached (formation of black layer)
What happens during pollination in corn?
Tranfer of pollen from the tassels to the silk.
How is corn pollen transferred?
Easily via the wind.
Describle fertilization in corn.
- pollen lands on the silk and germinates
- produces pollen tubes that grow down to the ovule (kernels)
- sperm cells go down the tubes and fertilize the ovules which potentially become kernels
What is Xenia?
The immediate observable effect of foreign pollen on the endosperm, which is accounted for by the double fertilization mechanism.
Ex> When white corn is pollinated by yellow corn and therefore has yellow kernels or vice versa.
How is problems arising from xenia adressed?
Planting dates or maturity differences in varieties.
Difference in early season varieties of corn vs. late season varietes?
Due to the number of GDU’s required for the vegetative period of growth. Is similar to the number of GDU’s required from silking to maturity.
What does black layer mean in corn?
- indicates physiological maturity.
- marks end of nutrient transfer to kernels
When does black layer in corn occur (in general, not by variety)?
When moisture drops below 35%
Is a dry down still required after black layer is reached?
Yes
What is significant of the pollination and fertilization period in corn?
- act as the on/off switch for eventual yield
- fertilization must occur for a kernel to develop
What does drought stress do to corn that is in the pollination and fertilization period?
- delays silk emergence in relation to pollen shed
- silks may become unreceptive (doesn’t really happen, just appear to be)
Do pollen tubes continue to grow down silks during drought stress?
Yes
What are two examples of herbicide tolerant corn?
- Roundup Ready
- Liberty Link
What are 2 examples of a new type of herbicide resistant variety of corn?
- RoundupReady2
- Viptera
What is the purpose of the Viptera variety of corn?
It has an additional gene for the control of lepidopterea insects.
What are two examples of older types of corn varieties?
-Bt corn
>Corn rootworm resistant varietes
>European corn borer