Phosphorus Concentration, Uptake and Dry Matter Yield of Corn Hybrids

This study aims to quantify the phosphorus (P) concentration in the commercially adapted ten corn hybrids in South Dakota and to determine if selection can be carried out for these traits to develop useful inbred lines; to determine the effect of planting densities on P concentrations and dry matter (DM) yields. Results showed that hybrid were significantly differences for percent phosphorus. High population density plants contained low mean P concentration in the environments having high mean P concentrations. Dry matter yield was highly dependent on hybrids genetics but were altered by environments. Hybrids 2D601, N67-T4, N70-T9 and DKC54-51 were the better in terms of overall performance. On an average, they had P concentration and P uptake on lower range; tonnage, DM yield and plant stand percentage in the higher range. Based on our results, it is possible to carryout selection based on P concentration without giving up DM yields. However, effect of environments should be considered while establishing a selection program, as P concentration of plants interacts with the environmental effects.