MET (multiple ears and tillers) maize was collected from a nationwide maize collection in Korea. It is an open pollinated flint type of maize. The MET has been grown by Korean farmers for food purposes for a long period of time. The seeds are maintained by mass selection at the Plant Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, Dept. of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Chungnam National University. The MET was identified from the cooperative maize breeding project of the University and the Office of Rural Development (ORD).
The MET population is characterized by having seven to 12 ears on three to four tillers per plant, provided that optimum plant space is allowed. It is very unlikely that the MET might be derived from a teosinte cross or other source of exotic germplasm. It has been grown traditionally by a small group of farmers in a small village in Korea. The average plant height at harvest is about 230 cm under Korean conditions (N38o). The average plant height of tillers with usable ears is about 200 cm. The average ear size is 9 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. All tillers are borne at the nodes of the main stem below ground level. The average weight of 100 kernels is 14 g. The total dry matter of a plant is about 850 g when planted in 60 cm x 40 cm spacing. The MET is late maturing, about 15 days later than the single cross hybrid, Mo17 x B73. The MET should be useful in breeding programs for silage crops and genetic study. [Ed. note: Dr. Choe has sent two color prints of this material, which will be sent to any cooperator on request.]
Bong-ho Choe and Keun-yong Park
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