United States Patent 5)
`5,567,861
`Oct. 22, 1996
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Niebur
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`AANA
`
`567861A
`
`[54]
`
`_
`
`{75]
`
`INBRED CORN LINE PHN46
`
`Inventor: William S. Niebur, Victor, France
`
`{73] Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.,
`Des Moines, lowa
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 101,808
`
`
`
`[22]
`
`[63]
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of Ser. No. 542,353, Jun. 20, 1990, abandoned.
`
`[51] Unt. Cho nee ceeeccceeeeee A01H 5/00; A01H 4/00;
`C12N 5/04
`[52] U.S. Cle oes 800/200; 800/250; 800/DIG. 56;
`47/58; 47/DIG. 1; 435/240.4; 435/240.45;
`435/240.5
`[58] Field of Search oo. 800/200, 250,
`800/DIG. 56; 435/240.4, 240.45, 240.49,
`240.5; 47/58.03, 58.05
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`PUBLICATIONS
`
`Hallaueret al. Corn Breeding In Com & Corn Improvement
`ASApublication #18, 3rd edition—Editor G. L. Sprague pp.
`463-481, 482-487, 554-564,
`
`(1988) “Cell/tissue Culture and In Vitro
`Phillips et al.
`Manipulation” In/ Corn & Corn Improvement. ASA Publi-
`cations #18 3rd Ed. pp. 347-349 & 356-357.
`Troyer etal. (1985) “Selection for Early Flowering in Com:
`10 Late Synthetics” Crop Science vol. 25 pp. 695-697.
`Paelhnon (1987) Breeding Field Crops. AUI Publishing Co.
`Westport Ct. pp. 237-246.
`Meghji et al. “Inbreeding Depression, Inbred & Hybrid
`Grain Yields...” Crop Science vol. 24, (1984) pp. 545-549.
`Phillips ct al. (1987) In Corn & Com Improvement, ASA
`publication #187 3rd Edition. Sprague et al. editor p. 358.
`
`Primary Examiner—Gary Benzion
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
`Inc.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn
`line, designated PHN46. This invention thus relates to the
`plants and seeds of inbred corn line PHN46 and to methods
`for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred
`line PHN46 with itself or with another corn plant. This
`invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants
`produced by crossing the inbred line PHN46 with another
`corn line or plant and to crosses with related species.
`
`8 Claims, No Drawings
`
`Inari Exhibit 1087
`Inari Exhibit 1087
`Inari v. Pioneer
`Inari v. Pioneer
`
`

`

`5,567,861
`
`1
`INBRED CORN LINE PHN46
`
`This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/542,353
`filed on Jun. 20, 1990, now abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention is in the field of corn breeding, specifically
`relating to an inbred corn line designated PHN46.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single
`variety/hybrid various desirable traits. For field crops, these
`traits may include resistance to diseases and insects,toler-
`ance to heat and drought, reducing the time to crop maturity,
`greater yield, and better agronomic quality. With mechanical
`harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plant characteristics
`such as germination and stand establishment, growth rate,
`maturity, and fruit size, is important.
`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 onc 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.
`Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type
`for many generations become homozygous at almost all
`gene loci and produce a uniform population oftrue breeding
`progeny. A cross between two homozygouslines produce a
`uniform population of hybrid plants that may be heterozy-
`gous for many gene loci. A cross of two plants each
`heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce a
`population of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will
`not be uniform.
`
`Com plants (Zea mays L.) can be bred by both self-
`pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Corn has sepa-
`tate male and female flowers on the sameplant, located on
`the tassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination
`occurs in com when wind blows polien from the tassels to
`the silks that protrude from the tops of the incipient ears.
`The development of corn hybrids requires the develop-
`ment of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these
`lines, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding
`and recurrent selection breeding methods are used to
`develop inbred lines from breeding populations. Breeding
`programs combine the genetic backgrounds from two or
`more inbred lines or various other broad-based sources into
`breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed
`by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new
`inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybrids
`from these crosses are evaluated to determine whichof those
`have commercial potential.
`Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two geno-
`types, each of which may have one or more desirable
`characteristics that is lacking in the other or which comple-
`ment the other. If the two original parents do not provideall
`of the desired characteristics, other sources can be included
`in the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superior
`plants are selfed and selected in successive generations. In
`the succeeding generations the heterozygous condition gives
`way to homogeneouslinesas a result of self-pollination and
`selection. Typically in the pedigree method ofbreeding five
`or more generations of selfing and selection is practiced:
`F,F,; F,F3; F;2Fy; FyFs, ete.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`Backcrossing can be used to improve an inbred line.
`Backcrossing transfers a specific desirable trait from one
`inbred or source to an inbred that lacksthat trait. This can be
`accomplished for example byfirst crossing a superior inbred
`(A)
`(recurrent parent) to a donor inbred (non-recurrent
`parent), which carries the appropriate gene(s) for the trait in
`question. The progeny ofthis cross is then mated backto the
`superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection in the
`resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from
`the non-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross gen-
`erations with selection for the desiredtrait, the progeny will
`be heterozygous for loci controlling the characteristic being
`transferred, but will be like the superior parent for most or
`almostall other genes. The last backcross generation would
`beselfed to give pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) being
`transferred.
`
`A single cross hybrid com variety is the cross of two
`inbred lines, each of which has a genotype which comple-
`ments the genotype of the other. The hybrid progeny of the
`first generation is designated F,. In the development of
`hybrids only the F, hybrid plants are sought. Preferred F,
`hybrids are more vigorous than their inbred parents. This
`hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in many
`polygenictraits, including increased vegetative growth and
`increased yield.
`The developmentof a hybrid corm variety involves three
`steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasm
`pools;
`(2) the selfing of the selecied plants for several
`generations to produce a series of inbred lines, which,
`although different from each other, each 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 com,the vigor of the -
`lines decreases. Vigor is restored when two unrelated inbred
`lines are crossed to produce the hybrid progeny (F,). An
`important consequence of the homozygosity and homoge-
`neity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between any two
`inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give
`a superior hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can
`be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the
`inbred parents is maintained.
`A Single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines
`are crossed to produce the F, progeny. A double cross hybrid
`is produced from fourinbred lines crossed in pairs (AxB and
`CxD)andthen the two F, hybrids are crossed again (AxXB)x
`(CxD). Muchofthe hybrid vigor exhibited by F, hybridsis
`lost in the next generation (F,). Consequently, seed from
`hybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.
`Com is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a
`continuing goal of plant breedersis to develop high-yielding
`corn hybrids that are agronomically sound based on stable
`inbred lines. The reasons for this goal are obvious:
`to
`maximize the amountof grain produced with the inputs used
`and minimize susceptibility to environmental stresses. To
`accomplish this goal,
`the corn breeder must select and
`develop superior inbred parental lines for producing hybrids.
`This requires identification and selection of genetically
`unique individuals which in a segregating population occur
`as the result of a combination of crossover events plus the
`independentassortmentof specific combinationsofalleles at
`many gene loci which results in specific genotypes. Based
`on the number of segregating genes,
`the frequency of
`occurrence of an individual with a specific genotypeis less
`than 1 in 10,000. Thus, even if the entire genotype of the
`parents has been characterized and the desired genotypeis
`known, only a few if any individuals having the desired
`genotype may be found in a large F, or Sp population.
`
`

`

`3
`Typically, however, the genotype of neither the parents nor
`the desired genotype is known in any detail.
`
`4
`
`cDU- (Max.temp. +Min. temp)
`
`50
`
`5,567,861
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`According to the invention, there is provided a novel
`inbred corn line, designated PHN46. This invention thus
`relates to the seeds of inbred corn line PHIN46, to the plants
`of inbred corn line PHN46,and to methods for producing a
`corn plant produced bycrossing the inbred linc PHN46 with
`itself or another corn line. This invention furtherrelates to
`
`hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the
`inbred line PHN46 with another corn line or a related
`
`species.
`
`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=absolute measurement and % MNis percentage of
`mean of the experiments in which inbred or hybrid was
`grown unless otherwise defined.
`BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. This is the percent of
`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 adjusted to 15.5% moisture. ABS is in
`absolute terms and % MNis percent of the mean for the
`experiments in which the inbred or hybrid was grown.
`CLD TST=COLDTEST. Thisis the percentage of kernels
`that germinate undercold soil conditions.
`COB SC=COB SCORE.The cob score is a rating of how
`well the grain is shelled off the cob and how badly the cob
`is broken up going through the combine. This is given as a
`1 to 9 score with 9 being very good. A high score indicates
`that the grain shells off of the cob well, and the cob does not
`break.
`DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS.This is a measure of the
`number of dropped ears per plot and represents the percent-
`age 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 top developed ear 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 number of 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 of planting.
`Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method,
`where the heat units for a 24-hour period are:
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the
`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 SHD definition.
`GRN QUL=GRAIN QUALITY. Thisis a 1 to 9 rating for
`the general quality of the shelled grain as it is harvested
`based on suchfactorsas 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
`heightof the plant from the groundto 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.
`PRM=PREDICTED RM.This trait, predicted relative
`maturity (RM), is based on the harvest moistureof the grain.
`The relative maturity rating is based on a known set of
`checksand utilizes standard linear regression analyses andis
`referred to as the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating Sys-
`tem.
`
`RT LDG=ROOT LODGING.Rootlodging is the percent-
`age ofplants that do not root lodge; 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 amountof vegetative growth after emergence
`at the seedling stage (approximately five leaves). A higher
`score indicates better vigor.
`SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. Theselection index
`gives a single measure of the hybrid’s worth based on
`information for up to five traits. A comm breeder mayutilize
`his or her ownsetoftraits for the selection index. Oneof the
`traits that is almost always includedis yield. The selection
`index data presented in the tables represent the mean value .
`averaged across testing 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 late-season
`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-
`mining the percentage of plants that break below theear.
`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 no tassel blasting.
`
`

`

`5,567,861
`
`6
`feeding by European Com Borer. A “1”is very susceptible
`and a “9” is very resistant.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Inbred corn line PHN46is a yellow, dent corn inbred that
`provides an acceptable male parental line in crosses for
`producing first generation Fl com hybrids. PHN46is best
`adapted to the Central Corn Belt of the United States. The
`inbred can be used to produce hybrids from approximately
`110-122 relative maturity based on the Minnesota Relative
`Maturity Rating System for harvest moisture of grain.
`PHN46 should make an excellent male since it has high
`pollen yield. The inbred in hybrid combination has good
`yield, stay green, stalks, and roots.
`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 was collected 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 cnsure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The
`line has been increased both by hand and in isolated fields
`with continued observation for uniformity. No varianttraits
`have been observed or are expected in PHN46.
`Inbred corn line PHN46,being substantially homozygous,
`can be reproduced by planting seedsoftheline, growing the
`resulting com plants underself-pollinating or sib-pollinating
`conditions with adequate isolations, and harvesting the
`resulting seed, using techniques familiar to the agricultural
`arts.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`TABLE
`
`VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION
`INBRED = PHN46
`
`Region Best Adapted:
`Type: Dent Central Com Belt
`
`
`
`A. Maturity: Average across maturity zones. Zone: 0
`
`5
`TAS SZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 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.Thisis the average weight
`of a tassel (grams) just prior to pollen shed.
`TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE.A 1 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 was taken. Data is given
`as percentageoftillers: numberoftillers per plot divided by
`numberof plants per plot.
`TST WT=TEST WEIGHT UNADSJUSTED. The measure
`of the weight of the 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 1 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.
`COM SMT=Common Smut (Ustilago maydis): Percent-
`age of plants that did not have infection.
`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 “1” is very
`susceptible and a “9” is very resistant.
`COM RST=Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi): Visual rat-
`ing (1-9 score) where a “1” is very susceptible and a “9”is
`very resistant.
`EYE SPT=Eyespot (Kabatiella zeae): Visual rating (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 “‘l”’ is very susceptible and
`a “9”is very resistant.
`STW WLT=Stewart’s Wilt (Erwinia stewartii): Visual
`tating (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 “1” 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 Cor Borer
`(Ostrinia nubilalis): Percentage of plants that did not drop
`ears under second brood com borer infestation.
`
`ECB 2SC=European Corn Borer Second Brood (Ostrinia
`nubilalis): Visual rating (1~9 score) of post flowering dam-
`age dueto infestation by European Com Borer. A “1”is very
`susceptible and a “9” is very resistant.
`ECB 1LF=European Com Borer First Brood (Ostrinia
`nubilalis): Visual rating (1-9 score) of pre-flowering leaf
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Heat Unit Shed: 1510
`Heat Unit Silk: 1520
`No. Reps: 40
`
`{Max. Temp. (<_86° F.) +
`Min. Temp (>_50° F,)]*
`z
`
`- 50
`
`HEATUNITS =
`
`*If maximum is greater than 86 degrees fahrenheit, then
`86 is used and if minimum is less than 50, then 50 is
`used. Heat units accumulated daily and can notbe less
`than 0.
`Plant Characteristics:
`
`B.
`
`Plant height (to tassel tip): 198 cm
`Length oftop ear internode: 12 cm
`Numberofears per stalk: Slight Two-ear Tendency
`Ear height (to base of top ear): 77 cm
`Numberoftillers: None
`Cytoplasm type: Normal
`C. Leaf:
`
`Color: (WF9) Medium Green
`Angle from Stalk: 30-60 degrees
`Marginal Waves: (WF9) Few
`Number of Leaves (mature plants): 18
`Sheath Pubescence: (W22) Light
`Longitudinal Creases: (OH56A) Few
`Length (Ear node leaf): 65 cm
`Width (widest point, ear node leaf): 10 cm
`
`

`

`7
`
`8
`
`5,567,861
`
`TABLE-continued
`
`VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION
`INBRED = PHN46
`
`TABLE-continued
`
`VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION
`INBRED = PHN46
`
`Region Best Adapted:
`Central Corn Belt
`
`Type: Dent
`
`Region Best Adapted:
`Central Cor Belt
`
`Type: Dent
`
`Tassel:
`
`Numberlateral branches: 4
`Branch Angle from central spike: >45 degrees
`Pollen Shed: Heavy based on Pollen Yield Test
`(107% of experiement means)
`Peduncle Length (top leaf to basal branches): 20 cm
`Anther Color: Pink
`Glume Color: Green
`Ear (Husked Ear Data Except When Stated Otherwise):
`
`Length: 15 cm
`Weight: 103 gm
`Mid-point Diameter: 44 mm
`Silk Color: Yellow
`Husk Extension (Harvest stage): Long (8-10 cm)
`Husk Leaf: Short (<8 cm)
`Taper of Ear: Slight
`Position of Shank (dry husks): Upright
`Kernel Rows: Straight, Distinct Number = 14
`Husk Color (fresh): Light Green
`Husk Color (dry): Buff
`Shank Length: 13 cm
`Shank (No. of internodes): 8
`Kernel (Dried):
`
`Size (from ear mid-point)
`Length: 10 mm
`Width: 8 mm
`Thick: 4 mm
`Shape Grade (% rounds): <20 (16% 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): 33 gm
`Cob:
`
`Diameter at mid-point: 24 mm
`Strength: Strong
`Color: Red
`Diseases:
`
`Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV =. Maize Chlorotic Mottle
`Virus and MDMV = Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus):
`Intermediate
`Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV & MCDV = Maize
`Dwarf Virus): Intermediate
`Anthracnose Stalk Rot (C. graminicola): Intermediate
`S. Leaf Blight (H. maydis): Intermediate
`N, Leaf Blight (77. turcicum): Intermediate
`Eye Spot (K. zeae): Intermediate
`Gray Leaf Spot (C. zeae): Susceptible
`Stewart's Wilt (E. stewaritii): Resistant
`Goss’s Wilt (C. nebraskense): Highly Resistant
`Common Smut(U. maydis): Highly Resistant
`Head Smut(S. reiliana): Resistant
`Fusarium Ear Mold (F moniliforme): Resistant
`Insects:
`
`European Corn Borer-1 Leaf Damage (Pre-flowering):
`Susceptible
`European Corn Borer-2 (Post-flowering): Intermediate
`The above descriptions are based on a scale of 1-9, 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
`
`J.
`
`10
`
`8-9. Highly resistant does not imply the inbred is immune
`Variety Most Closely Resembling:
`Character
`Inbred
`Maturity
`PHZ51
`Usage
`PHV78
`Data for Items B, C, D, E, FE, and G is based primarily on a
`maximum of two reps from Johnston, Iowa grown in 1989,
`plus description information from the maintaining station.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS
`
`Isozyme Genotypes for PHN46
`
`Isozyme data were generated for inbred corn line PHN46
`according to the procedures described in Stuber, C. W.,
`Wendel, J. K, 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 PHN46 with its parents,
`PHZS51 and PHV78.
`
`TABLE 2
`
`ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS FOR PHN46
`AND ITS PARENTS PHZ51 AND PHV78
`
`Loci
`
`ACPI
`ADH1
`CAT3
`DIAI
`GOT1
`GOT2
`GOT3
`IDH1
`IDH2
`MDHi
`MDH2
`MDH3
`MDH4
`MDHS
`MMM
`PGM1
`PGM2
`PGD1
`PGD2
`PHI
`
`PARENTS
`
`PHN46
`
`PHZS51
`
`PHV78
`
`3
`4
`9
`8
`4
`4
`4
`4
`6
`6
`3.5
`18
`12
`12
`4
`9
`4
`2
`5
`4
`
`3
`4
`9
`8
`4
`4
`4
`4
`6
`6
`3.5
`18
`12
`12
`4
`9
`4
`2
`5
`4
`
`2
`4
`9
`8
`4
`4
`4
`4
`6
`1
`3.5
`16
`12
`12
`4
`9
`3
`3.8
`5
`4
`
`INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
`
`This invention also is directed to methods for producing
`a corn plant by crossing a first parent corn plant with a
`second parent corn plant wherein the first or second parent
`corn plant is an inbred com plant from the line PHN46.
`Further, both first and second parent com plants can come
`
`

`

`5,567,861
`
`9
`from the inbred corn line PHN46. Thus, any such methods
`using the inbred corn line PHN46are part of this invention:
`selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to popula-
`tions, and the like. All plants produced using inbred corn line
`PHN46as a parent are within the scope of this invention.
`Advantageously, the inbred corn line is used in crosses with
`other, different, corn inbreds to producefirst generation (F,)
`corn hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics.
`Asused herein, the terms “plant and plant parts” include
`plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue culture from
`which com plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant
`clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of
`plants, such as embryos, pollen, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs,
`leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk and the
`like.
`
`Tissue culture of corn is described in European Patent
`Application, publication 160,390, incorporated herein by
`reference. Corn tissue culture proceduresare also described
`in Green and Rhodes, “Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture
`of Maize,” Maize for Biological Research (Plant Molecular
`Biology Association, Charlottsville, Va. 1982, at 367-372).
`Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cells
`which upon growth and differentiation produce the inbred
`line PHN46.
`
`The utility of inbred line PHN46 also extends to crosses
`with other species. Commonly, suitable species will be of the
`family Graminaceae, and especially of the genera Zea,
`Tripsacum, Coix, Schlerachne, Polytoca, Chionachne, and
`Trilobachne, of the tribe Maydeae. Of these, Zea and Trip-
`sacum, are most preferred. Potentially suitable for crosses
`with PHN46 maybethe various varieties of grain sorghum,
`Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.
`Corn is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw
`material in industry. The food uses of corn, in addition to
`human consumption of com kernels, include both products
`of dry- and wet-milling industries. The principal products of
`com dry milling are grits, meal and flour. The corn wet-
`milling industry can provide corn starch, com syrups, and
`’ dextrose for food use. Corn oil is recovered from corn germ,
`which is a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling indus-
`tries.
`
`Com, including both grain and non-grain portions of the
`plant, is also used extensively as livestock feed, primarily
`for beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, and poultry.
`Industrial uses of corn are mainly from corn starch from
`the wet-milling industry and corn flour from the dry-milling
`industry. The industrial applications of corn starch and flour
`are based on functional properties, such as viscosity, film
`formation, adhesive properties, and ability to suspend par-
`ticles. The corn starch and flour have application in the paper
`and textile industries. Other industrial uses include applica-
`tions in adhesives, building materials, foundry binders,
`jaundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other min-
`ing applications.
`Plant parts other than the grain of com arc also used in
`industry. Stalks and husks are made into paper and waill-
`board and cobs are used for fuel and to make charcoal.
`
`The seed of inbred corn line PHN46, the plant produced
`from the inbred seed, the hybrid corn plant produced from
`the crossing of the inbred, hybrid seed, and various parts of
`the hybrid corn plant can be utilized for human food,
`livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.
`EXAMPLE
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`Inbred and Hybrid Performance of PHN46
`
`65
`
`In the examples that followthe traits and characteristics of
`inbred corn line PHN46 are given as a line and in hybrid
`
`10
`combination. The data collected on inbred corn line PHN46
`is presented for the key characteristics andtraits.
`The results in Table 3A compare PHN46 to its PHZ51
`parent. PHN46 yields significantly more,
`is shorter, and
`sheds (GDU SHD)pollen later but silks (GDU SLK)earlier
`than PHZ51. PHN46 and PHZ51 have similar pollen yield
`and tassel size. PHN46 has better common smutresistance
`but is more susceptible to root lodging andfirst and second
`brood European corm borer than PHZ51.
`Table 3B compares PHN46to its other parent, PHV78.
`PHN46yields more, has higher test weight, and less grain
`moisture at maturity than PHV78. PHN46is a shorter inbred
`with lower ear placement and flowers (GDU SHD and GDU
`SLK) earlier than PHV78. PHN46 has significantly better
`seedling vigor and early stand establishment than PHV78.
`PHN46hasless pollen yield and its tassel is smaller than
`PHV78. The PHN46 inbred is more resistant to common
`smut, ear mold, and Stewart’s wilt but less resistant to first
`and second brood European corn borer than PHV78.
`The results in Table 3C show that PHN46 has higher
`yield, slightly lower test weight, and higher grain harvest
`moisture than PHR62. PHN46 is shorter with lower ear
`placement and flowers (GDU SHD and GDU SLK)earlier
`than PHR62. PHN46 has better seedling vigor and early
`stand count, similar pollen yield, and a smaller tassel than
`PHR62. Commonrust and Stewart’s wilt resistance is better
`for PHN46 but it
`is more susceptible to stalk and root
`lodging, ear mold, and first and second brood European corn
`borer than PHR62.
`
`Table 3D showsthat PHN46is loweryielding, has higher
`test weight, and lower grain moisture at maturity than
`PHN82. PHN46is taller with higher ear placement, sheds
`pollen (GDU SHD)later, and silks (GDU SLK) similarly
`compared to PHN82. PHN46 has better seedling vigor,
`similar early stand establishment, greater pollen yield, and a
`bigger tassel than PHN82. Southern corn leaf blight and
`Stewarl’s wilt are slightly more resistant in PHN46butit is
`more susceptible to stalk and root lodging, common smut,
`and first and second brood European cor borer than
`PHN82.
`
`The results in Table 4A compare PHN46 to PHZS51
`crossed to the same inbred testers. The hybrids are similar
`for yield and test weight but PHN46has higher grain harvest
`moisture. PHN46 hybrids are shorter but have slightly
`higher ear height and flower (GDU SHD)later than PHZ51
`hybrids. The PHN46 hybrids have less stay green, similar
`stalks, and are less prone to root lodge than PHZ51 hybrids.
`Table 4B compares PHN46 to PHR62 crossed to the same
`inbred testers. The PHN46 hybrids have higheryield, similar
`test weight, and more grain harvest moisture compared to
`PHR62 hybrids. The hybrids have similar plant and ear
`height and flowering (GDU SHD)is similar. PHN46 hybrids
`havebetterstay green, stalks, and roots than PHR62 hybrids.
`The results in Table 4C compare PHN46 to PHN82
`crosscd to the same inbred testers. The PHN46 hybrids have
`loweryield, test weight, and grain moisture at maturity than
`PHN82 hybrids. The hybrids have similar height but the
`PHN46 hybrids have higher ear placement. The PHN46
`hybrids have significantly better cob scores and slightly
`better stalks than the PHN82 hybrids.
`The results in Table 4D compare PHN46 to PHV78
`crossed to the same inbred testers. The PHN46 hybrids have
`higheryield, similar test weight, and less grain moisture at
`harvest than the PHV78 hybrids. The PHN46 hybrids are
`slightly shorter but have higher ear placement and flower
`(GDU SHD) earlier than the PHV78 hybrids. PHN46
`
`

`

`5,567,861
`
`11
`hybrids have better stay green and root lodging resistance
`and have similar stalks compared to the PHV78 hybrids.
`Tables 5-10 compare PHN46 hybrids to Pioneer Brand
`Hybrids 3374, 3504, 3527, 3362, 3180, and 3344, respec-
`tively. Each hybrid has a parent in common with the PHN46
`hybrid other than PHN46. The hybrids are adapted to much
`ofthe same area as the PHN46 hybrids. Table 5 compares a
`PHN46 hybrid with 3374. The PHN46 hybrid has higher
`yield, lower test weight, and more grain moisture at maturity
`than 3374, The PHN46 hybrid is shorter and flowers (GDU
`SHD)later than 3374. The PHN46 hybrid has better roots
`but poorer stalks than 3374.
`Table 6 results show the PHN46 hybrid has similar yield
`and test weight but higher grain moisture at maturity than
`3504. The PHN46 hyb