Use of Maize Floret Variation to Increase Seed Yield of Female Parents

Hybrid seed production is a complex process that involves many steps. For seed corn (Zea mays), inbred plants must first be crossed under conditions that allow the male pollen to fertilize the silks on female ears to produce seed sold to farmers. The quantity and quality of seed produced are important metrics in overall production efficiency. Hybrid seed yield and uniformity can be impacted by optimizing the number of kernels per female parent inbred ear utilizing native genetic floret traits. Based on preliminary studies using the floret variant trait "Country Gentleman" (CG or CG trait), kernels kg-1 were increased an average of 38% across three genetic backgrounds. When present in female inbred parent plants, the CG trait resulted in a large increase in the number of smaller-sized kernels at screen slots ≤ 17.5/64 in (6.95 mm); seed weight of 752 g per 1000 g for ears expressing the CG trait compared to 309 g for ears with typical row orientation. The CG trait is recessive and multiple genes are involved. Inheritance of the trait is important to ensure that F1 plants produce grain with normal kernel size and row orientation in the farmer's crop. Seedsmen benefit from increased seed production efficiency and farmers benefit by having greater availability of preferred seed size options (medium and small flat kernels) that best meet their operations' needs. Research is ongoing to determine the effectiveness of the CG trait across a broader array of female inbreds.