PH2TB4

Corn

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'PH13HK'

Summary: Midway through anthesis, the silks on the ear of 'PH2TB4' have a weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration while those of 'PH13HK' have a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. Including the tassel, the plants of 'PH2TB4' are taller than the plants of 'PH13HK'. The ear of 'PH2TB4' is longer, and including the kernels, has a larger diameter than the ear of 'PH13HK'. The primary ear of 'PH2TB4' is located higher on the stem than that of 'PH13HK'.

Description:

PLANT: inbred yellow variety, small ratio of height of insertion of peduncle of upper ear to plant height, anthesis and silk emergence occur mid-season
STEM: absent or very slight degree of zig-zag, very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on brace roots

LEAF BLADE (JUST ABOVE UPPER EAR): intermediate degree of undulation of margin, very small to small angle with stem, straight to slightly recurved

TASSEL: few to a medium number of primary lateral branches, medium density of spikelets on middle third of main branch, main axis above lowest lateral branch medium to long, main axis above highest lateral branch medium in length
LATERAL BRANCHES (SECOND BRANCH FROM BOTTOM OF TASSEL): straight to slightly recurved, small to medium angle with main axis, medium in length
GLUME: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration at base, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration at middle and apex
ANTHER (ON MIDDLE THIRD OF MAIN BRANCH): weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

EAR: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of silks, short to medium husk (level with to extending one quarter the length of the ear above tip), conico-cylindrical shape, few to medium number of rows of grain, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on glumes of cob
EAR WINGS: present on a high percentage of plants, short to medium in length
KERNEL: intermediate between flint-like and dent-like type, yellow on top and dorsal side

TILLERING: present on a very low percentage of plants

Origin & Breeding History: 'PH2TB4' was developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. using a double haploid plant breeding method. In 2008, the initial cross was conducted between proprietary inbred lines in Woodstock Ontario, Canada. In 2009, the F1 underwent a haploidization process in Willmar, Minnesota, USA. The haploids were doubled and self pollinated with subsequent ear selection in Buin, Chile. In 2011, the D1 and D2 lines were self pollinated and harvested in bulk in Willmar, Minnesota and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, respectively. In 2012, the D3 line was self pollinated with subsequent ear selection in Willmar, Minnesota. In 2012, the D4 line was self pollinated and the D5 seed bulked as breeder seed in Buin. 'PH2TB4' was selected based on yield in hybrid combination, tassel size, pollen production, germination ability, stalk lodging resistance, late season plant health, grain quality, as well as disease and insect resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'PH2TB4' was conducted in Coteau-du-lac, Quebec during the 2019 growing season. The trial was planted in a RCB Design with 3 replicates. Each replicate consisted of one row of approximately 20 plants, 3 metres in length with 76 cm between the rows. There was a total of 50 to 60 plants per variety. Measured characteristics were based on 30 measurements per variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on paired Student's T-tests. Results were supported by the official technical examination report 201800249, purchased from the Plant Variety Protection Office in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Comparison tables for 'PH2TB4' with reference variety 'PH13HK'

Plant height (including tassel) (metres)

Ear length (cm)

Ear diameter (in middle including kernels) (cm)

Primary ear, height from ground (metres)

Click on image for larger view

Corn: 'PH2TB4' (top) with reference variety 'PH13HK' (bottom)