--B. H. Choe, K. K. Kang, W. K. Lee and H. B. Lee

We have been interested in possible use of tillers for grain and silage production for the past seven years (MNL 56:62; 58:85; 62:54). The lines we have used were mostly from Korean local ones, and from our previous studies we have found that a few hybrids made from a limited number of inbred lines had two to three effective tillers, and the grain and silage yields of such hybrids were comparable to or higher than the check hybrids which do not have tillers.

During our past investigations on the tillers, we have found that tillers could be classified into a few distinctive types according to the angles between tillers and main stem. The first type may be called type A, which has virtually no angles between tillers and main stem (Fig. 1-a). The second type may be called type B which has less than 45 degrees between tillers and main stem (Fig.1-b). The last type, type C, has greater than 45 degrees between tillers and main stem (Fig. 1-c). The types mentioned above are applicable only to maize which has tillers from underground nodal bases of the main stem. The maize with tillers on the above-ground nodes of the main stem like Tlr (Neuffer) were variable in angles. The three types classified according to the angles maintained this throughout the full growing season, even though the photos were all taken during the beginning of the season.

Fig. 1. Three types of tiller angles observed. 1-a, Type A; 1-b, Type B; 1-c, Type C (refer text).

Return to the MNL 63 On-Line Index
Return to the Maize Newsletter Index
Return to the MaizeGDB Homepage