United States Patent 5
`5,453,564
`Chapman
`Sep. 26, 1995
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`001A1
`
`[54]
`
`INBRED CORN LINE PHTE4
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Michael A. Chapman, Madison Lake,
`Minn.
`
`[73] Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.,
`Des Moines, Iowa
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 186,730
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Jan. 24, 1994
`
`(51)
`
`Tint, C18ccc esceeee A01M 5/00; AO1M 4/00;
`C12N 5/04
`(52] U.S. Ch. we 800/200; 800/250; 800/DIG. 56;
`435/240.4; 435/240.49; 435/240.5; 47/58;
`47/DIG.1
`
`[58] Field of Search 0.0...ccceeseeeees 435/172.1, 172.3,
`435/240.4, 240.49, 240.5; 536/27; 800/200,
`250, DIG. 52, DIG. 56; 935/18; 47/58.03
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Phillips, et.al. (1988) “Cell/Tissue Culture and In Vitro
`Manipulation”, Com & Corn Improvement, 3rd Ed., ASA
`Publication, No. 18, pp. 345-349 & 356-357.
`Poehlman (1987) Breeding Field Crop, AVI Publication Co.,
`Westport, Conn., pp. 237-246.
`Rao,K. V., et al., “Somatic Embryogenesis in Glume Callus
`Cultures”, Osmania University, Hyberaded, India.
`Sass, John F. (1977) “Morphology”, Com & Corn Improv-
`meni, ASA Publication Madison, Wisconsin, pp. 89-109.
`Songstad, D. D.
`et
`al.
`(1988)
`“Effect
`of ACC
`(1-aminocyclopropane—1—carboxyclic acid), Silver Nitrate
`& Norbonadiene on Plant Regeneration From Maize Callus
`Cultures”, Plant Cell Reports, 7:262-265.
`Tomes,et al. “The Effect of Parental Genotype on Initiation
`of Embryogenic Callus From Elite Maize (Zea Mays L.)
`Germplasm”, Theor. Appl. Genet., vol. 70, pp. 505-509.
`Troyer, et al. (1985) “Selection for Early Flowering in Com:
`10 Late Synthetics”, Crop Science, vol. 25, pp. 695-697,
`Umbeck,et al. “Reversion of Male—Sterile T-Cytoplasm
`Maize to Male Fertility in Tissue Culture”, Crop Science,
`vol. 23, pp. 584-588.
`Wright, Harold (1980) “Commercial Hybrid Seed Produc-
`tion”, Hybridization of Crop Plants, Ch. 8: 161-176.
`3/1989 Segebart .
`4,812,599
`Wych,Robert D. (1988) “Production of Hybrid Seed”, Corn
`5,285,004—2/1994 AMDIOSE 0...ceccseessesenenceceneees 800/200
`and Corn Improvement, Ch. 9, pp. 565-607.
`Green et al. 1975. Crop Science. 15:417-421.
`Mallauer et al. 1988. In Corn and Cor Improvement.
`Sprague et al., eds. CH 8: 463-564.
`Meghji et al. 1984. Crop Science. 24: 545-549.
`Wright. 1980. In Hybridization of Crop Plants. Fehr et al.,
`eds. Ch. 8: 161-176.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`160390
`
`6/1986 European Pat. Off. .
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Conger, B. V., et al. (1987) “Somatic Embryogenesis From
`Cultured Leaf Segments of Zea Mays”, Plant Cell Reports,
`6:345-347.
`Duncan, D. R., et al. (1985) “The Production of Callus
`Capable of Plant Regeneration From Immature Embryos of
`Numerous Zea Mays Genotypes”, Planta, 165:322—332.
`Edallo, et al.
`(1981) “Chromosomal Variation and Fre-
`quency of Spontaneous Mutation Associated with in vitro
`Culture and Plant Regeneration in Maize”, Maydica,
`XXVI:39-S6.
`Green, et al., “Plant Regeneration From Tissue Cultures of
`Maize”, Crop Science, vol. 15, pp. 417-421.
`Green, C. E., et al. (1982) “Plant Regeneration in Tissue
`Cultures of Maize” Maize for Biological Research, pp.
`367-372.
`Haliauer, A. R. et al. (1988) “Corn Breeding” Corn and
`Corn Improvement, No. 18, pp. 463-481.
`Meghiji, M. R., et al. (1984). “Inbreeding Depression, Inbred
`& Hybrid Grain Yields, and Other Traits of Maize Geno-
`types Representing Three Eras”, Crop Science, vol. 24, pp.
`545-549.
`
`Wych. 1988. In Com and Corn Improvement. Spragueetal.,
`eds. CH. 9: 565-607.
`
`Primary Examiner—Gary Benzion
`Assistant Examiner—Erich E. Veitenheimer
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
`Inc.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn
`line, designated PHTE4. This invention thus relates to the
`plants and seeds of inbred corn line PHTE4 and to methods
`for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred
`line PHTE4 with itself or with another corn plant. This
`invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants
`produced by crossing the inbred line PHTE4 with another
`corn line or plant.
`
`5 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Inari Exhibit 1040
`Inari Exhibit 1040
`Inari v. Pioneer
`Inari v. Pioneer
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`5,453,564
`
`VALUE
`
`VARIETY
`
`30
`
`___PHTEA_PHUAG
`B
`: 073
`0.57
`R2:
`0.61
`0,25
`N
`:
`29
`29
`Mo:
`75.2
`63.2
`DMS:
`86.9
`243.0
`
`
`40
`30
`60
`70
`80
`90
`100
`
`REP WEANS
`
`+ PHTRA
`o PHJ40
`—— PREDICTED
`—— PHTE4
`-—-PHJ40
`
`FIG.4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`5,453,564
`
`VALUE
`
`90
`80
`REP MEANS
`
`100
`
`110
`
`120
`
`130
`
`140
`
`+ PHIEA
`o PHBWE
`— PREDICTED
`—— PHTEA
`
`a
`
`FIG.2
`
`VARIETY
`
`40
`
`3¢
`
`60
`
`70
`
`___PHTE4 _PHBW8
`B
`:
`087
`1.10
`R2:
`0.59
`0.69
`N:
`32
`3
`
`he RS
`_—
`
`

`

`5,453,564
`
`1
`INBRED CORN LINE PHTE4
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This inventionis in the field of corn breeding, specifically
`relating to an inbred corn line designated PHTE4.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Plant Breeding
`
`Field crops are bred through techniques that take advan-
`tage of the plant’s method of pollination. A plant is self-
`pollinated if pollen from one flower is transferred to the
`same or another flower of the same plant. A plant
`is
`cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on a
`different plant.
`Corn plants (Zea mays L.) can be bred by both self-
`pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Corn has sepa-
`rate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on
`the tassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination
`occurs in corn when wind blowspollen from the tassels to
`the silks that protrude from the tops of the incipient ears.
`The development of a hybrid corn variety involves three
`steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasm
`pools;
`(2) the selfing of the selected plants for several
`generations to produce a series of inbred lines, which,
`although different from each other, breed true and are highly
`uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with
`unrelated inbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F,).
`During the inbreeding process in corn, the vigor of the lines
`decreases. Vigor is restored when two unrelated inbred lines
`are crossed to produce the hybrid progeny. An important
`consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity of the
`inbred lines is that the hybrid between any two inbreds will
`always be the same. Oncethe inbreds that give a superior
`hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be repro-
`duced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred
`parents is maintained.
`The objective of commercial maize inbred line develop-
`ment programsis to develop new inbred lines that combine
`to produce high grain yields and superior agronomic per-
`formance in hybrid combination. The primary trait breeders
`seek is yield. However, other major agronomictraits are of
`importance in hybrid combination and have an impact on
`yield or otherwise provide superior performance in hybrid
`combinations. Such traits include percent grain moisture at
`harvest, relative maturity, resistance to stalk breakage,resis-
`tance to root lodging, grain quality, and disease and insect
`resistance. In addition the lines per se must have acceptable
`performance for parental traits such as seed yields, kernel
`sizes, pollen production,all of whichaffectability to provide
`parental lines in sufficient quantity and quality for hybrid-
`ization. Traits have been shown to be under genetic control
`and many if not all of the traits are affected by multiple
`genes. Thus, to be selected as an inbred line, the inbred must
`be able to combine such that the desired traits are passed to
`the hybrid and also be able to satisfy production require-
`ments as a parental line.
`
`Pedigree Breeding
`
`The pedigree method of breeding is the mostly widely
`used methodology for new inbred line development.
`In general terms this procedure consists of crossing two
`inbred lines to produce the non-segregating F, generation,
`and self pollination of the F, generation to produce the F,
`generationthat segregates for all factors for which the inbred
`
`2
`parents differ. An example of this process is set forth below.
`Variations of this generalized pedigree method are used, but
`all these variations produce a segregating generation which
`contains a range of variation for the traits of interest.
`
`EXAMPLE1
`
`10
`
`Hypothetical example of pedigree breeding program
`Consider a cross between two inbred lines that differ for
`alleles at five loci.
`The parental genotypes are:
`
`Paentl
`Parentt2
`
`A b
`a
`B
`
`C de
`c
`DE
`
`FIA
`fla
`
`b
`B
`
`C
`c
`
`d
`D
`
`ee
`€-E
`
`F
`f
`
`the F, from a cross between these two parentsis:
`
`FL
`
`OA
`
`b
`
`Cc
`
`doc
`
`Fla
`
`Boc DE f
`
`Selfing F, will produce an F, generation including the
`following genotypes:
`
`A
`A
`A
`
`b
`B
`B
`
`c DE
`c De
`c De
`
`fla
`fla
`fla
`
`b
`b
`b
`
`Cc
`C
`C
`
`d
`d
`d
`
`e
`E
`e
`
`F
`F
`F
`
`The number of genotypesin the F, is 3° for six segre-
`gating loci (729) and will produce (2°)-2 possible new
`inbreds, (62 for six segregating loci).
`Each inbred parent which is used in breeding crosses
`represents a unique combination of genes, and the combined
`effects of the genes define the performanceofthe inbred and
`its performance in hybrid combination. There is published
`evidence (Smith, O. S., J. S.C. Smith, S. L. Bowen, R. A.
`Tenborg and S. J. Wall, TAG 80:833-840 (1990)) that each
`of these lines are different and can be uniquely identified on
`the basis of genetically-controlled molecular markers.
`It has been shown (Hallauer, Arnel R. and Miranda,J. B.
`Fo. Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding, Iowa State
`University Press, Ames Iowa (1981)) that most traits of
`economic value in maize are under the genetic control of
`multiple genetic loci, and that there are a large number of
`unique combinations of these genes present in elite maize
`germplasm.If not, genetic progress using elite inbred lines
`would no longer be possible. Studies by Duvick and Russell
`(Duvick, D. N. Maydica 37:69-79 (1992); Russell, W. A.
`Maydica XXIX:375-390 (1983)) have shown that over the
`last SO years the rate of genetic progress in commercial
`hybrids has been between 1 and 2% per year.
`The number of genes affecting the trait of primary eco-
`nomic importance in maize, grain yield, has been estimated
`to be in the range of 10-1000. Inbred lines which are used
`as parents for breeding crosses differ in the number and
`combination of these genes. These factors make the plant
`breeder’s task more difficult. Compoundingthis is evidence
`that no one line contains the favorableallele at all loci, and
`that differentalleles have different economic values depend-
`ing on the genetic background and field environment in
`which the hybrid is grown. Fifty years of breeding experi-
`ence showsthat there are many genes affecting grain yield
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`

`5,453,564
`
`3
`and each of these has a relatively small effect on this trait.
`The effects are small compared to breeders’ ability to
`measure grain yield differences in evaluation trials. There-
`fore, the parents of the breeding cross must differ at several
`of these loci so that the genetic differences in the progeny
`will be large enough that breeders can develop a line that
`increases the economic worth of its hybrids over that of
`hybrids made with either parent.
`If the numberof loci segregating in a cross between two
`inbred lines is n, the number of unique genotypes in the F.,,
`generation is 3" (Example 2) and the number of unique
`inbred lines from this cross is {(2”)-2}. Only a very limited
`numberof these combinations are useful. Only about 1 in
`10,000 of the progeny from F,’s are commercially useful.
`By way of example, if it is assumed that the number of
`segregating loci in F, is somewhere between 20 and 50, and
`that each parent is fixed for half the favorablealleles, it is
`then possible to calculate approximate probabilities of find-
`ing an inbredthat has the favorableallele at {(n/2)-+m} loci,
`where n/2 is the number of favorable alleles in each of the
`parents and m is the numberof additional favorablealleles
`in the new inbred. Sec Example 2 below. The number m is
`assumed to be greater than three because each allele has so
`small an effect that evaluation techniques are not sensitive
`enough to detect differences due to three or less favorable
`alleles. The probabilities in Example 2 are on the order of
`107or smaller and they are the probabilities that at least one
`genotype with (n/2)+m favorable alleles will exist.
`To put this in perspective the numberof plants grown on
`60 million acres (approximate U.S. corn acreage) at 25000
`plants/acre is 1.5x10??.
`
`EXAMPLE2
`
`Probability of finding an inbred with m of n favorable
`alleles.
`Assume each parent has n/2 of the favorable alleles and
`only % of the combinations of loci are economically useful.
`
`Probability
`no. additional
`no, favorable
`no. of
`segregating
`alleles in
`favorablealleles
`that genotype
`loci (n)
`Parents (n/2)
`in new inbred
`occurs*
`
`20
`10
`14
`3x 10°
`24
`12
`16
`2x 10°
`28
`14
`18
`1x 10°
`32
`16
`20
`8x 10%
`36
`18
`22
`5x 10-6
`40
`20
`24
`3x 10°
`44
`22
`26
`2x 10-6
`48
`24
`28
`1x 10-6
`
`*Probability that a useful combination exists, does not include the probability
`of identifying this combinationif it does exist.
`
`The possibility of having a usably high probability of
`being able to identify this genotype based on replicated field
`testing would be most likely smaller than this, and is a
`function of how large a population of genotypesis tested and
`how testing resources are allocated in the testing program.
`At Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a typical corn research
`station has a staff of four, and 20 acres of breeding nursery.
`Those researchers plant those 20 acres with 25,000 nursery
`rows, 15,000 yield test plots in 10-15 yieldtest sites, and
`one or two disease-screening nurseries. Employing a tem-
`porary crew of 20 to 30 pollinators, the station makes about
`65,000 hand pollinations per growing season. Thus, one of
`the largest plant breeding programs in the world does not
`have a sufficiently large breeding population to be able to
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`rely upon “playing the numbers” to obtain successful
`tesearch results. Nevertheless, Pioneer’s breeders at each
`station produce from three to ten new inbreds which are
`proposed for commercial use each year. Over the 32 Pioneer
`research stations in North America, this amounts to from
`about 100 to 300 new inbreds proposedforuse, and less than
`50 and more commonly less than 30 of these inbreds that
`actually satisfy the performancecriteria for commercial use.
`This is a result of plant breeders using their skills,
`experience and intuitive ability to select inbreds having the
`necessary qualities.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`According to the invention, there is provided a novel
`inbred corn line, designated PHTE4. This invention thus
`relates to the seeds of inbred corn line PHTE4,to the plants
`of inbred corn line PHTE4, and to methods for producing a
`corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHTE4 with
`itself or another corn line. This invention further relates to
`hybrid com seeds and plants produced by crossing the
`inbred line PHTE4 with another com line.
`
`DEFINITIONS
`
`In the description and examples that follow, a number of
`terms are used herein. In order to provide a clear and
`consistent understanding of the specification and claims,
`including the scope to be given such terms, the following
`definitions are provided. ABS is in absolute terms and %
`MNis percent of the mean for the experiments in which the
`inbred or hybrid was grown.
`BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. Thepercentof plants per
`plot that were not barren (lack ears).
`BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the
`stalk breakage near the time of pollination, and is an
`indication of whether a hybrid or inbred would snap or break
`near the time of flowering under severe winds. Data are
`presented as percentage of plants that did not snap.
`BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Actual yield of
`the grain at harvest in bushels per acre adjusted to 15.5%
`moisture.
`DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number
`of dropped ears per plot and represents the percentage of
`plants that did not drop ears prior to harvest.
`EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure
`from the ground to the highest placed developed car node
`attachment and is measured in inches.
`
`EAR SZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The
`higher the rating the larger the ear size.
`EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure
`of the stand establishment in the spring and represents the
`number of plants that emerge on a per plot basis for the
`inbred or hybrid.
`GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The numberof growing
`degree units (GDUs)or heat units required for an inbred line
`or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants
`shedding pollen and is measured from the time ofplanting.
`Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method,
`where the heat units for a 24-hour period are:
`
`GpU- (Max, temp. Mn. temp)
`
`50
`
`The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the
`
`

`

`5,453,564
`
`5
`lowest minimum temperature used is 50° F. For each inbred
`or hybrid it takes a certain number of GDUsto reach various
`stages of plant development.
`GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing
`degree units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have
`approximately 50 percent of the plants with silk emergence
`from time of planting. Growing degree units are calculated
`by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHDdefinition.
`GRN APP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1
`to 9
`rating for the general appearanceof the shelled grain asit is
`harvested based on suchfactors as the color of the harvested
`grain, any mold on the grain, and any cracked grain. High
`scores indicate good grain quality.
`MST=HARVEST MOISTURE.The moistureis the actual
`percentage moisture of the grain at harvest.
`PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the
`height of the plant from the ground to thetip of the tassel in
`inches.
`
`POL SC=POLLEN SCORE.A 1 to 9 visual rating indi-
`cating the amount of pollen shed. The higher the score the
`more pollen shed.
`POL WT=POLLEN WEIGHT.This is calculated by dry
`weight of tassels collected as shedding commences minus
`dry weight from similar tassels harvested after shedding is
`complete.
`through
`It should be understood that the inbred can,
`routine manipulation of cytoplasmic factors, be produced in
`a cytoplasmic male-sterile form which is otherwise pheno-
`typically identical to the male-fertile form.
`PRM=PREDICTED RM. This trait, predicted relative
`maturity (RM), is based on the harvest moisture of the grain.
`The relative maturity rating is based on a known set of
`checks andutilizes standard linear regression analyses andis
`referred to as the Comparative Relative Maturity Rating
`System which is similar to the Minnesota Relative Maturity
`Rating System.
`RT LDG=ROOT LODGING.Root lodgingis the percent-
`ageof plants that do not rootlodge; plants that lean from the
`vertical axis at an approximately 30° angle or greater would
`be counted as root lodged.
`to 9 visual rating
`SCT GRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1
`indicating the amountof scatter grain (lack of pollination or
`kernel abortion) on the ear. The higher the score the less
`scatter grain.
`SDG VGR=SEEDLING VIGOR.This is the visual rating
`(1 to 9) of the amount of vegetative growth after emergence
`at the seedling stage (approximately five leaves). A higher
`score indicates better vigor.
`SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index
`gives a single measure of the hybrid’s worth based on
`information for up to five traits. A corn breeder may utilize
`his or her ownset of traits for the selection index. One of the
`traits that is almost always included is yield. The selection
`index data presented in the tables represent the mean value
`averaged acrosstesting stations.
`STA GRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of
`plant health near the time of black layer formation (physi-
`ological maturity). A high score indicates better latc-scason
`plant health.
`STK CNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final
`stand or number of plants per plot.
`STK LDG=STALK LODGING.Thisis the percentage of
`plants that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage) as measured
`by either natural lodging or pushing the stalks and deter-
`
`6
`mining the percentage of plants that break below the ear.
`TAS BLS=TASSEL BLAST.A 1 to 9 visual rating was
`used to measure the degree of blasting (necrosis due to heat
`stress) of the tassel at time of flowering. A 1 would indicate
`a very high level of blasting at time of flowering, while a 9
`would have notassel blasting.
`TAS SZ=TASSELSIZE. A | to 9 visual rating was used
`to indicate the relative size of the tassel. The higher the
`rating the larger the tassel.
`TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight
`of a tassel (grams) just prior to pollen shed.
`TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE.A | to 9 visual rating was
`used to indicate the relative hardness (smoothness of crown)
`of mature grain. A 1 would be very soft (extreme dent) while
`a 9 would be very hard (flinty or very smooth crown).
`TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the numberoftillers per
`plot that could possibly shed pollen wastaken. Datais given
`as percentageoftillers: numberoftillers per plot divided by
`numberof plants per plot.
`TST WT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The mea-
`sure of the weight ofthe grain in pounds for a given volume
`(bushel).
`TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT ADJUSTED.The measure of
`the weight of the grain in pounds for a given volume
`(bushel) adjusted for percent moisture.
`YLD=YIELD.It is the same as BU ACR ABS.
`
`YLD SC=YIELD SCORE.A I to 9 visual rating was used
`to give a relative rating for yield based on plot ear piles. The
`higher the rating the greater visual yield appearance.
`MDM CPX=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV=
`Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus & MCDV=Maize Chlorotic
`Dwarf Virus): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a “1” is very
`susceptible and a “9” is very resistant.
`SLF BLT=Southem Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis, Hel-
`minthosporium maydis): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a
`“1” is very susceptible and a “9” is very resistant.
`NLF BLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum,
`H. turcicum): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a ‘‘]” is very
`susceptible and a “9” is very resistant.
`COM RST=CommonRust (Puccinia sorghi): Visual rat-
`ing (1-9 score) where a “1” is very susceptible and a “9”is
`very resistant.
`GLF SPT=Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis):
`Visual rating (1-9 score) where a ‘‘1” is very susceptible and
`a “9” is very resistant.
`STW WLT=Stewart’s Wilt (Erwinia stewartii): Visual
`rating (1-9 score) where a “1” is very susceptible and a “9”
`is very resistant.
`HD SMT=Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana): Percent-
`age of plants that did not have infection.
`EAR MLD=General Ear Mold: Visual rating (1-9 score)
`where a “‘]”’ is very susceptible and a “9” is very resistant.
`This is based on overall rating for ear mold of mature ears
`without determining specific mold organism, and may not be
`predictive for a specific ear mold.
`ECB DPE=Dropped ears due to European Corn Borer
`(Ostrinia nubilalis): Percentage of plants that did not drop
`ears under second brood corn borer infestation.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`65
`
`ECB 2SC=European Corn Borer Second Brood (Ostrinia
`nubilalis). Visual rating (1-9 score) of post flowering dam-
`age due to infestation by European Corn Borer. A “1” is very
`susceptible and a “9”is very resistant.
`ECB 1LF=European Corn Borer First Brood (Ostrinia
`
`

`

`5,453,564
`
`7
`nubilalis): Visual rating (1-9 score) of pro-flowering leaf
`feeding by European Corn Borer. A “1” is very susceptible
`and a “9”is very resistant.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIGS. 1 and 2 show data for the trait Bushels Per Acre.
`Theresults of FIGS. 1 and 2 compare PHTE4 to PHJ40 and
`PHBW8,respectively.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`PHTE4 produces hybrids thatare high yielding and flower
`early. PHTE4 hybrids have above average sccdling vigor,
`test weight and staygreen. PHTE4 hybrids also have above
`average resistance to brittle stalks.
`Inbred corn line PHTE4 is a yellow, dent corn inbred that
`provides an acceptable male parental
`line in crosses for
`producing first generation Fl corn hybrids. PHTE4 also
`provides an acceptable female parental line in crosses for
`producing first generation Fl corn hybrids. PHTE4 is
`adapted to the North Central region of the United States.
`The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the
`limits of environmental
`influence for all
`the traits as
`described in the Variety Description Information (Table 1)
`that follows. Most of the data in the Variety Description
`information wascollected at Johnston, Iowa. The inbred has
`been self-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number of
`generations with careful attention paid to uniformity of plant
`type to ensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The
`line has been increased both by hand and inisolated fields
`with continued observation for uniformity. No variant traits
`have been observed or are expected in PHTE4.
`Inbred com line PHTE4,being substantially homozygous,
`can be reproducedby planting seedsofthe line, growing the
`resulting corn plants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating
`conditions with adequate isolation, and harvesting the result-
`ing seed, using techniques familiar to the agricultural arts.
`
`TABLE1
`
`VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION
`INBRED = PHTE4
`Type: Dent
`Region Best Adapted: North Central
`
`
`.
`
`A. Maturity: Average across maturity zones.
`Heat Unit Shed:
`1340
`Heat Unit Silk:
`1330
`No. Reps:
`35
`(Max. Temp. (=86° F.) +
`50
`HEAT UNITS = Min. Temp (ean F.)]*
`*If maximumis greater than 86 degrees fahrenheit, then 86
`is used and if minimumis less than 50, then 50 is used.
`Heat units accumulated daily and can notbe less than 0,
`Plant Characteristics:
`
`B.
`
`Plantheight (to tassel tip): 207 cm
`Length of top ear internode: 10 cm
`Numberof ears per stalk: Slight, two-ear tendency
`Ear height(to base of top ear): 66 cm
`Numberof tillers: None
`Cytoplasm type: Normal
`C. Leaf:
`
`Color: (B14) Dark Green
`Angle from Stalk: 30-60 degrees
`Marginal Waves: (WF9) Few
`Number of Leaves (mature plants): 19
`
`8
`
`TABLE 1-continued
`
`VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION
`INBRED = PHTE4
`Type: Dent
`Region Best Adapted: North Central
`
`Sheath Pubescence: (W22) Light
`Longitudinal Creases: (PA11) Many
`Length (Ear node leaf): 64 cm
`Width (widest point, ear node leaf): 7 cm
`Tassel:
`
`Numberlateral branches: 3
`Branch Angle from central spike: >45 degrees
`Pollen Shed: Heavy based on Pollen Yield Test
`(108% of experiment means)
`Peduncle Length (top leaf to basal branches): 21 cm
`Anther Color: Purple
`Glume Color: Green
`Ear (Husked Ear Data Except When Stated Otherwise):
`
`ft
`
`Length: 14 cm
`Weight: 127 gm
`Mid-point Diameter: 42 mm
`Silk Color: Green
`Husk Extension (Harvest stage): Long (8-10 cm beyond ear
`tip)
`Husk Leaf: short (<8 cm)
`Taper of Ear: Average
`Position of Shank (dry husks): Upright
`Kernel Rows: Straight, Distinct Number = 14
`Husk Color(fresh): Light Green
`Husk Color (dry): Buff
`Shank Length: 10 cm
`Shank (No.of internodes): 8
`Kernel (Dried):
`
`Size (from ear mid-point)
`Length:
`1i mm
`Width:
`8 mm
`Thick:
`4mm
`Shape Grade (% rounds): <20 (18% medium round based on
`Parent Test Data)
`Pericarp Color: Colorless
`Aleurone Color: Homozygous Yellow
`Endosperm Color: Yellow
`Endosperm Type: Normal Starch
`Gm Wt/100 Seeds (unsized): 27 gm
`Cob:
`
`Diameter at mid-point: 22 mm
`Strength: Strong
`Color: Red
`Diseases:
`
`Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV = Maize Chlorotic Mottle
`Virus and MDMV = Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus): Resistant
`Carbonum Leaf Blight (H. carbonum): Resistant
`N.Leaf Biight (Z. mrcicum): Intermediate
`Common Rust (P. sorghi): Resistant
`Gray Leaf Spot (C. zeae): Susceptible
`Stewart’s Wilt (Z. stewartii): Resistant
`Goss’s Wilt (C. Nebraskense) Intermediate
`Common Smut (U. maydis): Highly Resistant
`Head Smut(S. reiliana) Highly Resistant
`Fusarium Ear Mold (F moniliforme): Intermediate
`Gibberella Ear Rot (G. zeae): Intermediate
`Insects:
`
`European Corn Borer-1 Leaf Damage (Preflowering):
`Resistant
`European Corn Borer-2 (Post-flowering): Intermediate
`The above descriptions are based on a scale of1-9, 1
`being highly susceptible, 9 being highly resistant.
`S (Susceptible): Would generally represent a score of 1-3.
`I (Intermediate): Would generally represent a score of 4-5.
`R (Resistant): Would generally represent a score of 6-7.
`H (Highly Resistant): Would generally represent a score of
`8-9. Highly resistant does not imply the inbredis
`
`25
`
`I
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`a
`
`=
`
`45
`
`50
`
`35
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`

`5,453,564
`
`9
`
`TABLE 1-continued
`VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION
`INBRED = PHTE4
`Region Best Adapted: North Central
`
`J.
`
`Type: Dent
`immune.
`Variety Most Closely Resembling:
`Character
`Inbred
`Maturity
`PHBW8
`Usage
`PHBW8
`PHBW8(PVP Certificate No. 9200079) is a Pioneer Hi-Bred
`International, Inc. proprietary inbred.
`Data for Items B, C, D, E, F, and G is based primarily on a
`maximum of two reps from Johnston, Iowa grown in 1992,
`plus description information from the maintainingstation.
`
`ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS
`
`Isozyme Genotypes for PHTE4
`
`Isozyme data were generated for inbred corn line PHTE4
`according to the procedures described in Stuber, C. W.,
`Wendel, J. F, Goodman, M. M., and Smith, J. S. C,
`“Techniques and Scoring Procedures for Starch Gel Elec-
`trophoresis of Enzymes from Maize (Zea mays L.)”, Tech-
`nical Bulletin No. 286, North Carolina Agricultural
`Research Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh,
`N.C. (1988).
`The data in Table 2 compares PHTE4 with its parents,
`PHN15 and PHJ40.
`
`TABLE 2
`ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS FOR PHTE4
`AND ITS PARENTS PHNIS AND PHI40
`
`LOCI
`
`ACP1
`ADHI
`CAT3
`DIA1
`GOT1
`GOT2
`GOT3
`IDH1
`IDH2
`MDH1
`MDH2
`MDH3
`MDH4
`MDHS
`MMM
`PGM1
`PGM2
`PGD1
`PGD2
`PHIL
`
`PARENTS
`
`PHTE4
`
`PHN15
`
`PHIJ40
`
`AnhaRROOASR
`
`AADRAARARROVAN
`
`eee
`
`EXAMPLES
`
`Inbred and Hybrid Performance of PHTE4
`
`In the examples that follow, the traits and characteristics
`of inbred corn line PHTE4 are given as a line in comparison
`with other inbreds and in hybrid combination. The data
`collected on inbred corn line PHTE4is presented for the key
`characteristics andtraits.
`
`Tabie 3A compares PHTE4 to PHN15. PHTE4has lower
`
`10
`yield and grain harvest moisture but higher test weight
`compared to PHN15. PHTE4 is a shorter inbred and flowers
`(GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than PHN15.
`The data in Table 3B shows PHTE4 has loweryield and
`higher grain harvest moisture than PHNV4. PHTE4 and
`PHNV4havesimilar plant height but PHTE4 has lower ear
`placement. PHTE4 is an earlier flowering (GDU Shed and
`GDUSilk) inbred compared to PHNV4.
`Table 3C compares PHTE4 to PHJ40. PHTE4 hashigher
`yield and grain harvest moisture but lowcr test weight
`compared to PHJ40. PHTE4 hasa larger ear and is taller
`with lower ear placement compared to PHJ40. PHTE4
`flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) later than PHJ40.
`PHTE4 has greater pollen weight than PHJ40. PHTE4 has
`fewer scattergrain, better staygreen and better resistance to
`ear mold andfirst brood European corn borer than PHJ40.
`The data in Table 3D shows PHTE4 has a higher yield
`than PHT46. PHTE4hasa larger ear andis taller with higher
`ear placement compared to PHT46. PHTE4 flowers (GDU
`Shed and GDU Silk) later than PHT46. PHTE4 has a
`significantly greater pollen weight than PHT46. PHTE4 has
`better ear texture and staygreen with better resistance to first
`and second brood European corn borer compared to PHT46.
`Table 3E shows PHTE4 has loweryield and grain harvest
`moisture but higher test weight compared to PHBW8.
`PHTE4 and PHBW8havesimilar ear placement but PHTE4
`is a taller inbred. PHTE4 and PHBW8shed (GDU Shed)
`pollen at approximately at the same time but PHTE4silks
`(GDU Silk) earlier than PHBW8. PHTE4 has better first
`brood European corn borer resistance than PHBW8.
`Table 4A compares PHTE4 to PHNV4 when both were
`crossed to the same inbred testers. The PHTE4 hybrids have
`higher yield and grain harvest moisture compared to the
`PHNV4hybrids. The PHTE4 hybrids have better seedling
`vigor and higher early stand count than the PHNV4 hybrids.
`The PHTE4 hybrids are shorter with lower ear placement
`compared to the PHNV4 hybrids.
`Table 4B compares PHTE4 to PHRE] when both were
`crossed to the same inbred testers. The hybrids yield simi-
`larly but the PHTE4 hybrids have higher grain harvest
`moisture than the PHRE1 hybrids. The PHTE4 hybrids have
`better seedling vigor than the PHRE] hybrids.
`Table 4C compares PHTE4 to PHBW8 when both were
`crossed to the same inbred testers. The PHTE4 hybrids have
`lower yield and grain harvest moisture compared to the
`PHBW8hybrids. The PHTE4 hybrids have better grain
`appearance and seedling vigor than the PHBW8hybrids.
`Table SA compares PHTE4 to PHBW8 when both were
`crossed to the same inbred. The hybrids have similar yield
`and test weight but the PHTE4 hybrid has lower grain
`harvest moisture. The PHTE4 hybridis taller with higher ear
`placement compared to the PHBW8 hybrid.
`Table 5B compares PHTE4 to PHRE1 when both were
`crossed to the same inbred. The hybrids yield similarly but
`the PHTE4 hybrid has significantly higher grain harvest
`moisture than the PHRE1 hybrid. The PHTE4 hybrid has
`better test weight than the PHRE1 hybrid. The hybrids are
`similar in height b