Differences in ear-leaf iron uptake among corn (Zea mays L.) inbred lines

Fifty four corn inbred lines of different origin were grown for one year on the selection field (eutric cambisol on calcareous loess substrate; pH in H2O=7.8, humus content=1.8%). Each inbred line was grown in a 6.3 m row (20 plants/row). The ear-leaf Fe (the tasseling stage) was widely different. For example, when the highest value waas designated as 100, the highest value “was 21 and 28 for FAO groups 500 and 600, respectively.The general combining ability of corn inbred lines was estimated by means of mean grain yield of their single cross hybrids. It also ranged widely: from 7.45 to 11.57 t/ha. However, under environmental conditions of testing, the connection between the ear-leaf Fe and the general combining ability of corn inbred lines was low (r=0.12 and r=-0.30 for FAO group 500 and 600, respectively).