Trends of pollen production and tassel area index in yellow lines, hybrids and blue corn landraces

Abstract

Studies on pollen amount play significant role either in selection or seed production. The results of our two-year-long experiments suggest that both cropyear and genotype influence the pollen production of inbred lines. Data confirm those of Fonseca et al. (2003) that TAI can be used for the prediction of pollen amount. Pollen is an important vector of gene flow in maize (Luna et al., 2001). With their large height (for example by Santo D. Blue ≈ 425 cm) and abundant pollen amounts special blue varieties can play as markers in the studies of GMO (genetically modified organism) versus conventional cultivation, co-cultivation, since the blue colour as a dominant feature can make their detection easy.