Evidence for Inheritance of Differential Accumulation of Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium by Maize¹

Abstract

I N THE process of collecting data relative to differential accumulation of strontium-90 by maize, it was found that calcium, magnesium, and potassium exhibited relatively la.rge accumulation differentials. Sayre a reported large differences in accumulation of these elements between inbred maize lines. He also reported seasonal trends of accumulation for each of these three elements with the highest percent accumulation in the leaves. Replicated diallel-type single-cross tests, with the parental inbred lines in a separate adjacent block, were grown in 1959 at Hershey and Landisville, Pennsylvania. Ear leaf blades from six plants of each plot were collected on September 11, oven dried, ground, dry ashed, and analyzed for calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Calcium plus magnesium was determined by EDTA titration, using Eriechrome black T 4 as the indicator. Calcium was determined by EDTA titration with calcein~ as the indicator. The difference between the two values was taken as magnesium. Potassium was determined flame photometrically. * Percent of element in ear leaves of the inbred line. $ Percent of element in ear leaves of single crosses invol'c'lng the inbred line. :~ Percent of element in ear leaves of single crosses expressed as average value unconfounded by influence of other inbred lines.

Differential Accumulation of Strontium, Calcium, and Other Elements by Corn (Zea Mays L.) Under Greenhouse and Field Conditions

“…The results presented in Table 4 indicate that the relative accumulations of different elements by the hybrids were related as was reported in previous papers ( 4,5) . For example, the accumulation of strontium was closely related to that of calcium.…”

“…To be effective in reducing the strontium-90 content of silage; which could be an important source of strontium-90 in milk, varieties of corn and other forage species must accumulate relatively small amounts of strontium in the while plant under field conditions. Results of previous experiments conducted under field conditions ( 4,5) show conclusively that corn hybrids accumulate different amounts of strontium, calcium, and other elements in leaves. The range of accumulation was determined by analyzing ear leaves collected from the different hybrids at about 30 days post silk.…”

Total Ash and Potassium Content of Stalks as Related to Stalk Strength in Corn (Zea mays L.)1

“…However? other workers ( 3,4,5) have frequently reported the reverse where added amounts of potassium re• suited in less stalk breaking, stalk rot, and premature plant death. A nitrogen :potassium imbalance usually intensified the response of added amounts of potassium.…”

“…Gorsline et a!. ( 3) reported that the differential ear-leaf accumulation of calcium and magnesium was highly heritable on essentially an additive gene action basis, while potassium also was highly heritable but involved a more complicated scheme including nonadditive effects. An analysis of stalk tissue was not made.…”

Response of Several Genetic Sources of Corn to Acidic Soil1

“…Rhue and Grogan ( 1977) screened corn genotypes for AI toxicity using soil Ca and Mg concentration as a function of soil AI saturation and found reduced toxicity as Ca or Mg concentration increased. Studies on genetic control and inheritance of AI toxicity have been done by a number of workers (Rhue et al, 1978;Kerridge and Kronstad, 1968;Lafever and Campbell, 1978;and Gorsline et al, 1961 ). These workers found that the mode of genetic control of AI tolerance depended on the plant species involved.…”