PH4DAC

Corn

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'PHWRW'

Summary: The leaf blade of ‘PH4DAC' is narrower than that of ‘PHWRW'. The angle between the main axis and lateral branches of the tassel of ‘PH4DAC' is small whereas that of ‘PHWRW' is large. The lateral branches on the tassel of ‘PH4DAC' are straight whereas those of ‘PHWRW' are moderately recurved. The main axis above the highest lateral branch of the tassel of ‘PH4DAC' is a medium length whereas that of ‘PHWRW' is very long. The ear of ‘PH4DAC' is shorter than that of ‘PHWRW'. Including the kernels, the ear of ‘PH4DAC' has a smaller diameter than that of ‘PHWRW'.

Description:

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

STEM: absent or very slight degree of zig-zag

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

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

EAR: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of silks, short husk (level with tip), conico-cylindrical shape, very many rows of grain, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on glumes of cob
EAR WINGS: present on a medium percentage of plants, short
KERNEL: intermediate type, yellowish white on top, yellow orange on dorsal side

TILLERING: absent

Origin & Breeding History: ‘PH4DAC' originated from a cross conducted by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. in 2012 between the proprietary inbred lines ‘PH1MFJ' and ‘PH2HM6' in Ithaca, Michigan, USA. The F1 plants were self pollinated with resulting ear selections based on genetic analysis predicting disease and insect resistance as well as agronomic performance. Further selfing and ear to row pedigree selections were conducted from the F2 to F5 generation. ‘PH4DAC' was identified at the F6 generation in 2015 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. Breeder seed was established at the F7 generation in 2016.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for ‘PH4DAC' was conducted in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec during the 2023 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 60 plants per variety. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 30 measurements per variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's T-tests. Results were supported by the official technical examination report number 202300251, purchased from the Plant Variety Protection Office in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Comparison tables for 'PH4DAC' with reference variety 'PHWRW'

Leaf blade width (cm)

Ear length (cm)

Ear diameter (including kernels) (cm)

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Corn: 'PH4DAC' (top) with reference variety 'PHWRW' (bottom)