Deep-planting tolerance characteristics analysis on 46 maize inbred lines

Deep-planting is one of the way to avoid drought in maize seedling stage,it is important to study the deep-planting characteristics of maize germplasm.In this study 46 maize inbred lines were evaluated for the traits of subcrown internode length,coleoptile length,subcrown internode and coleoptile total length,seedling emergence rate at 10 cm planting depth. Furthermore,the correlatons between these traits were calculated.The results showed that there were different variations of the four traits,therein,seedling emergence rate varied most,subcrown internode and coleoptile total length varied least.And among the four traits existed different relationships,the legth of subcrown internode positivel and significantly correlated with seedling emergence rate,and the length of subcrown internode plus coleoptile had extremely significant positive correlation with seedling emergence rate.Several strong deep-planting toleratn maize inbred lines has been identified through screening.the results obtained in this paper provided useful information for deep-planting tolerant germplasm screening and variety improvement in maize.