ACCUMULATION AND TRANSLOCATION OF SOLUBLE SOLIDS IN CORN STALKS

Abstract

Soluble solids in stalks of two short-season corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids accumulated until 2–3 weeks after anthesis, and then declined rapidly during the grain-filling period. Soluble solids concentration was unaffected by plant population, but greatest total soluble solids accumulated at high plant populations. Most of the soluble solids that accumulated and disappeared were in internodes below the ear. When pollination and grain development were prevented, total soluble solids in stalks increased until the end of the growing season, indicating that the decline in stalk soluble solids during grain filling was caused primarily by translocation of metabolites from the stalk to the grain.