Enhancing the Production of Maize

Abstract

A maize plant and a method of enhancing maize production is provided. The maize plants, irrespective of their variety, exhibit at least two adjacent shortened internodes (defined as being equal to or less than twice the largest transverse dimension of the stalk above the ground) spacing at least two, ear nodes and a longer internode below the lowermost shortened internode provided that, in the event that the internodes are shortened down to ground level, such longer internode need be absent. Preferably the internode spacing is from less than about 50 mm to a maximum of 70 mm. The maize plants are preferably selected such that the ears develop substantially synchronously; the silks develop either at the same time as, or before, pollen is released by the tassels of the plants; and the maize plants are both of a dwarf maize type and a prolific plant type.

1 . A method of enhancing the yield per unit area of a maize producing facility, the method comprising growing a maize type in such facility wherein the maize type is selected such that at least the majority of the maize plants develop at least two adjacent shortened internodes spacing at least two ear nodes and a longer internode below the lowermost shortened internode provided that, in the event that the internodes are shortened down to ground level, such longer internode may be absent.  
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which the maize is selected so that each maize plant develops two, three, four or more ear nodes that are spaced by an internode spacing sufficiently small to ensure that the ears develop substantially synchronously.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  in which the maize is selected so that the ear nodes are spaced by an internode spacing of from less than about 50 mm to a maximum of 70 mm.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which the maize is selected so that the silks develop either at the same time, or before, pollen is released by the tassels of the plants.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which the maize is a dwarf maize of a prolific plant type grown in high-density populations selected with reference to the availability of photosynthate over the growing season.  
     
     
         6 . A maize plant that, irrespective of its variety, exhibits at least two adjacent shortened internodes spacing at least two ear nodes and a longer internode below the lowermost shortened internode provided that, in the event that the internodes are shortened down to ground level, such longer internode may be absent.  
     
     
         7 . A maize plant as claimed in  claim 6  in which the maize plant is selected to develop two, three, four or more ear nodes that are spaced by an internode spacing of from less than about 50 mm to a maximum of 70 mm.  
     
     
         8 . A maize plant as claimed in  claim 6  in which the maize plant is selected such that the ears develop substantially synchronously.  
     
     
         9 . A maize plant as claimed in  claim 6  in which the maize plant is selected such that the silks develop either at the same time as, or before, pollen is released by the tassels of the plants.  
     
     
         10 . A maize plant as claimed in  claim 6  in which the maize plant is both a dwarf maize type and a prolific plant type.