PH48C4

Corn

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'PH1MDJ'

Summary: Anthesis for the plants of 'PH48C4' occurs early in the season whereas that for the plants of 'PH1MDJ' occurs mid season. Silk emergence for the plants of 'PH48C4' occurs very early in the season whereas that for the plants of 'PH1MDJ' occurs early in the season. Including the tassel, the plants of 'PH48C4' are taller than those of 'PH1MDJ'. The ratio of height of insertion of the peduncle of the upper ear to the plant height for 'PH48C4' is large whereas that for 'PH1MDJ' is small. The leaf blade just above the upper ear of 'PH48C4' is wider than that of 'PH1MDJ'. In the middle third of the main branch of the tassel, the anthers of 'PH48C4' have a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas those for 'PH1MDJ' have a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The primary ear of 'PH48C4' is located higher on the stem than that of 'PH1MDJ'. The silks of 'PH48C4' have an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the silks of 'PH1MDJ' have a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The ear wings for 'PH48C4' are a medium length and present on a low percentage of plants whereas for 'PH1MDJ' ear wings are absent.

Description:

PLANT: inbred yellow variety, large ratio of height of insertion of peduncle of upper ear to plant height, anthesis occurs early in season, silk emergence occurs very early in season

STEM: absent or very slight degree of zig-zag, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on brace roots

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

TASSEL: medium number of primary lateral branches, moderately sparse spikelets on middle third of main branch, medium length main axis above lowest and highest lateral branch
LATERAL BRANCHES: straight, small angle with main axis, medium length
GLUME: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration at base, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration at apex and middle
ANTHER (ON MIDDLE THIRD OF MAIN BRANCH OF TASSEL): weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

EAR: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of silks, short husk (level with tip), conico-cylindrical shape, medium number of rows of grain, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on glumes of cob
EAR WINGS: present on a low percentage of plants, medium length
KERNEL: dent-like type, yellow on top, yellow orange on dorsal side

TILLERING: present on a low percentage of plants

Origin & Breeding History: 'PH48C4' was developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. using a double haploid plant breeding method. In 2008, a cross was conducted between proprietary inbred lines in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In 2009, the F1 generation underwent a haploidization process with subsequent chromosome doubling and selfing. In 2010, selected D1 lines were self pollinated and harvested in bulk. From 2013 to 2015, the D2 to D6 lines were self pollinated with subsequent ear selections, respectively. 'PH48C4' 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. The D8 seed was bulked as breeder seed in Arica, Chile in 2016.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'PH48C4' was conducted in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec during the 2021 growing season. The trial was planted in a RCB design with 3 replicates. Each replicate consisted of one 3 metre long row with 76 cm between the rows. With approximately 20 plants per row, there was a total of 50 to 60 plants per variety. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 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 202000338, purchased from the Plant Variety Protection Office in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Comparison tables for 'PH48C4' with reference variety 'PH1MDJ'

Plant height (metres)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Primary ear height (metres)

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Corn: 'PH48C4' (left) with reference variety 'PH1MDJ' (right)

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Corn: 'PH48C4' (top) with reference variety 'PH1MDJ' (bottom)