The Structure and Reproduction of Corn

The primary purpose of this paper is to summarize investigations concerning the structure and reproduction of the corn plant (Zea mays L.). Because of wide interest in the reproductive process in connection with breeding and genetic studies the floral development, fertilization, and embryology are especially stressed. The morphology and development of the vegetative organs is also included. The botanical relationship, origin, genetics and breeding of corn are briefly considered

Corn Investigations

The purpose of the investigations reported in this bulletin has been primarily to determine some of the underlying principles involved in corn improvement. The work comprises a study of some of the physiological characteristics of the crop together with a comparison of various selection, breeding, and cultural practices in their relation to grain yield

Transpiration as a Factor in Crop Production

The object of experiments reported in this bulletin has been to determine principles according to which water is used by crops. In many agricultural districts, water is frequently a seriously limiting factor in crop production. It has been thought that some means might be devised through a correct understanding of the principles involved, whereby economy in the use of water in farm practice could be increased. In this effort there are two chief points of attack, namely, (1) adjusting the external factors to the needs of the plant, and (2) selecting plants adapted to the conditions

The Immediate Effect of Gametic Relationship and of Parental Type upon the Kernel Weight of Corn

This investigation to determine the relation of the kernel weight of corn to the source of pollen with which it was fertilized has been made to answer several questions of both practical and technical interest: (1) To what extent is kernel weight affected in the current crop by the breadth of breeding or the gametic relationship? (2) What is the relation of the diversity of parental type to the immediate effect of foreign pollen upon the kernel weight of corn? (3) Is the immediate effect of cross-fertilization upon the kernel weight of sufficient importance to justify the annual mixing of seed corn of two or more varieties in order to increase yield under farm conditions? (4) Is the interpollination between varieties grown in comparative variety yield tests a material source of error by virtue of affecting kernel weight? (5) To what extent is an increased kernel weight, resulting as an immediate effect of cross-fertilization, an indicator of increased productivity for the first generation hybrid progeny over that of the ear-bearing parent grown pure? (6) In the case of increased kernel weight resulting as an immediate effect of cross-fertilization, what is the relative increase of the different parts of the kernel? (7) What is the immediate effect of cross-fertilization upon the maturity of the kernel as expressed by the relative moisture content

The Significance of Xenia Effects on the Kernel Weight of Corn

The purpose of this paper is to appraise the xenia effects of the pollen parent on the kernel weight of corn (Zea mays L.), and to interpret so far as possible their genetic, physiologic and applied significance. The conclusions will be based on local experiments and a review of the literature

Winter Wheat Investigations

Twenty years of wheat breeding, consisting chiefly of the isolation and testing of pure lines, has now been conducted at the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. It is the purpose of this paper to report the conduct and results of this work. The resulting strains are compared with the best other wheats available from Nebraska and other sources. The effects of a number of cultural practices related to the preparation of seed, seeding, treatment of the growing crop, and harvesting are also presented. Some consideration is given to the experimental technique of the comparative tests

The Structure and Reproduction of Corn

The primary purpose of this paper is to summarize investigations concerning the structure and reproduction of the corn plant (Zea mays L.). Because of wide interest in the reproductive process in connection with breeding and genetic studies the floral development, fertilization, and embryology are especially stressed. The morphology and development of the vegetative organs is also included. The botanical relationship, origin, genetics and breeding of corn are briefly considered

Alfalfa Investigations

The purpose of these alfalfa investigations has been to determine the relation of variety, source of seed, and cultural practice to the yield and quality of hay produced. Due to the high initial cost of seeding, the inconvenience and wastefulness of losing a stand prematurely, and the superiority of properly-made hay, an understanding of these relationships is very important

Alfalfa Investigations

The purpose of these alfalfa investigations has been to determine the relation of variety, source of seed, and cultural practice to the yield and quality of hay produced. Due to the high initial cost of seeding, the inconvenience and wastefulness of losing a stand prematurely, and the superiority of properly-made hay, an understanding of these relationships is very important

The Differential Reaction of Strains Within a Variety of Wheat to Physiologic Forms of Puccinia graminis tritici

Black stem rust of wheat (Puccinia graminis tritici (Pers.) Erikss. & Henn.), which occurs in Nebraska and thruout most of the wheat producing regions of the world, is of a composite nature, in that it consists of a number of physiologic forms which can be determined by their action on different varieties of Triticum species, as shown by Stakman and Levine. The ordinary commercial variety of wheat may likewise be regarded as a mixture, in that it consists of numerous strains, which differ in some more or less important characteristics, as has been frequently indicated in the literature concerning wheat improvement. The object of this investigation has been to analyze such a commercial mass-variety of wheat from the standpoint of the differential reaction of its component strains to a number of the physiologic forms of Puccinia graminis tritici found in Nebraska. The applied significance of such a study would be the discovery of productive wheat strains in a commercial variety, which are resistant to a relatively large number of prevalent physiologic forms, thereby reducing the likelihood of severe rust damage from season to season, as it has been determined (unpublished data) from epidemiological studies in Nebraska that the physiologic forms which occur in the field may vary in number, identity, distribution, and intensity in different seasons