The Maize with Multiple Ears and Tillers (MET) III. Developmental Habit and Morphology of the Tillers

In order to investigate developmental habit and morphology of maize tillers, time and location of tiller development. number of tillers per plant, tiller angle, height and diameter of tillers and root systems of tillers were examined under field condition for maize with tillers. Materials used were mostly from Korean local lines and a few lines from other countries were also included for comparison. The time of the first tiller development was about 18 to 20 days after emergence when planted on May in Yusong. The second tiller appeared about 4 to 5 days after the first tiller appeared. The tiller number per plant varied with lines and hybrids and ranged from two to ten. The location of tiller development was usually basal nodes of the main stem. Each tiller appeared to have its own root system. The angle between tillers and main stem was variable depending upon the maizes and the tiller angle could be classified into three categories. The height of tillers was also variable and seemed to be under genetic control. The most productive tillers were found among the Korean local derivatives.