Improve the quantity and quality of maize crops in any environment! While isolated examples of the physiological bases for genetic improvement of maize yield can be found in several papers (most of which are cited in this book), there has not, until now, been a single volume that delivers and clarifies all of the available information in this field! Today, Physiological Bases for Maize Improvement offers scientists and crop growers a thorough and concise guide to recent literature and developments about increasing the crop efficiency of corn. In Physiological Bases for Maize Improvement, international experts in the field discuss and analyze methods of effectively improving crop breeding and producing better and larger yields of corn. Physiological Bases for Maize Improvement delivers clear, thorough discussions of: improving maize grain yield potential in a cool environment improving maize grain yield potential in the tropics processes affecting maize grain yield potential in temperate conditions maize improvement for drought-limited conditions apical dominance, herbivory resistance, and competitive ability the use of simulation models for crop improvement . . . and much more! With this book, you will find ways to improve maize crops in a variety of countries and climates and understand the importance of kernel numbers and kernel growth to the overall yield. Containing current research and case studies, Physiological Bases for Maize Improvement provides you with vital strategies that will improve the quality and quantity of corn and increase plant functionality and fitness.

Edited by a renowned seed biologist with a team assembled from the most respected laboratories worldwide, Seed Technology and Its Biological Basis illustrates the commercial value of seeds as a major resource. The editors provide a sweeping overview of the current state-of-the-art in seed technology and its biological basis. The book is invaluable to researchers and professionals in both the industrial and academic sectors.

Injury to immature maize seed caused by early season frost is of great economic concern to seed producers. Surprisingly, there has been very little research investigating the adverse effects of freezing on immature seed and the resulting biochemical changes in seedlings germinated from freeze damaged seed. In this three-part study, we investigated the effects of freezing injury, first as they pertained to the overall viability of the seed, then to how exposure of immature seed to freezing induces biochemical changes in seedlings germinated from these seed. We found that the extent of freezing injury as determined by reduced viability and observed cellular damage was significantly influenced by the physiological maturity of the seed at time of exposure and by the duration of exposure. We found that several changes in gene expression occurred in seedlings germinated from freeze-damaged seed. First, three day old seedlings germinated from freeze-damaged seed had elevated rates of cellular respiration which correlated with depleted levels of maize peroxysomal catalase isozyme 1 (CAT1). Six day old seedlings also had greater rates of respiration and showed a strong induction of mitochondrial catalase isozyme 3 (CAT3) in response to freezing stress.