PH42KN

Corn

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'PH18WY'

Summary: Midway through anthesis, the silks on the ear of 'PH42KN' have an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while those of 'PH18WY' have a weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The main axis of the tassel above the highest lateral branch is of a medium length for 'PH42KN' while is is very short to short for 'PH18WY'. Including the tassel, the plants of 'PH42KN' are taller than the plants of 'PH18WY'. The leaf blade just above the upper ear of 'PH42KN' is narrower than that of 'PH18WY'. The ear of 'PH42KN' is longer and including the kernels, has a smaller diameter than the ear of 'PH18WY'. The primary ear of 'PH42KN' is located lower on the stem than that of 'PH18WY'.

Description:

PLANT: inbred yellow variety, very small to small ratio for height of insertion of peduncle of upper ear to plant height, anthesis occurs mid-season, silk emergence occurs early to 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 in length, main axis above highest lateral branch medium in length
LATERAL BRANCHES (SECOND BRANCH FROM BOTTOM OF TASSEL): straight, small to medium angle with main axis, short to medium in length
GLUME: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration throughout
ANTHER (ON MIDDLE THIRD OF MAIN BRANCH): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

EAR: absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of silks, short husk (level with tip), conico-cylindrical shape, few to a medium number of rows of grain, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on glumes of cob
EAR WINGS: absent
KERNEL: intermediate between flint-like and dent-like type, yellow on top and dorsal side

TILLERING: absent

Origin & Breeding History: 'PH42KN' was developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. using the pedigree method of plant breeding. In 2009, the initial cross was conducted between proprietary inbred lines in Willmar, Minnesota, USA. The F1 generation was planted, self pollinated and harvested in bulk in Buin, Chile. Respectively in 2011 and 2012, the F2 population and F3 families were self pollinated with subsequent ear selection in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. From 2013 to 2016, F4 to F7 lines were self pollinated with subsequent ear selection. In 2016, the F8 line was self pollinated and the F9 seed bulked as breeder seed in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. 'PH42KN' was selected based on tassel size, pollen production, germination ability, stalk lodging resistance, late season plant health, yield in hybrid combination, grain quality, as well as disease and insect resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'PH42KN' 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 201900155, purchased from the Plant Variety Protection Office in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Comparison tables for 'PH42KN' with reference variety 'PH18WY'

Plant height (including tassel) (metres)

Leaf blade width (leaf just above upper ear) (cm)

Ear length (cm)

Ear diameter (in middle including kernels) (cm)

Primary ear, height from ground (metres)

Click on image for larger view

Corn: 'PH42KN' (top) with reference variety 'PH18WY' (bottom)