EVALUATION OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR DETERMINING STALK QUALITY IN SHORT-SEASON CORN GENOTYPES

Several quantitative methods of stalk quality evaluation were assessed to determine which of them would be effective in predicting field stalk lodging performance in corn. Measurements that gave the highest negative correlation with field stalk lodging and were also effective in detecting differences in lodging resistance levels of the hybrids were stalk crushing strength, rind puncture, stalk breaking force, weight of 5.1-cm stalk sections and stalk sugar content. The rind puncture method came closest to meeting all the desired criteria for the best stalk lodging resistance indicator by being simple to determine, highly correlated with stalk lodging and consistent in effectively distinguishing between the lodging resistance levels of the hybrids under both high and low lodging conditions. Relationships of the various stalk lodging characteristics with grain yield suggested that stalk strength can be improved without affecting grain yield.