Plant Characteristics Affecting Field Drying Rate of Ear Corn1

Two methods were employed to study field drying in corn Zea mays L.: First, a set of treatments (removal, enclosure, or other modification of plant parts) was imposed on a series of hybrids at the time of approximate physiologic maturity of the grain. Second, morphological differences among more than 150 plant introductions were evaluated. In both methods an attempt was made to determine cause and effect relationships between differences in plants (natural or imposed) and field drying rate of the ear. The results indicated the following: Premature death speeds rate of drying. Rate of drying is relatively independent of number of leaves or amount of green leaf area (including husks) available for transpiration. Husks limit air movement around the grain; loose, short husks, of a low number are conducive to fast drying.