Genotypic differences in zinc efficiency of Chinese maize evaluated in a pot experiment.

Background: Zinc (Zn) deficiency, a major problem limiting crop production worldwide, is common on calcareous soils of China. Using such a Zn-deficient soil supplied adequately with plant mineral nutrients, with or without Zn, 30 Chinese maize genotypes were grown for 30 days in a greenhouse pot experiment and assessed for Zn efficiency (ZE), measured as relative biomass under Zn-limiting compared with non-limiting conditions.

Results: Substantial variation in tolerance to low Zn nutritional status was observed within the maize genotypes.

Root growth in response to nitrogen supply in Chinese maize hybrids released between 1973 and 2009.

Root growth has a fundamental role in nitrogen (N) use efficiency. Nevertheless, little is known about how modern breeding progress has affected root growth and its responses to N supply. The root and shoot growth of a core set of 11 representative Chinese maize (Zea mays L.

[SSR linkage map construction and QTL mapping for leaf area in maize].

Maize (Zea mays L.) leaf is the main organ for photosynthesis. The area of leaves (especially the ear-leaf and the two leaves above and below the ear-leaf) plays a vital role in dry matter accumulation and grain yield.

[Effect of NO3- supply on lateral root growth in maize plants].

Growth of lateral roots is regulated by both environmental factors and nitrate (NO(-)(3)) content of the plant. The mechanism involved is not clearly understood. Two maize (Zea mays L.