Correlation of Pith Cell Death with Various Stalk Quality Characteristics in Two Synthetic Populations of Maize1

Estimates of pith cell death in the first five elongated internodes of the stalk were obtained at midsilk and 3 weeks after midsilk in two synthetic maize ( Zea mays L.) populations which had undergone three cycles of recurrent selection for high and low stalk quality. Significant correlations between rating periods and the first three successive internodes indicated that rating the first three internodes at midsilk accurately estimates pith cell death for these two populations. Four components of stalk quality, crushing strength, rind thickness, rind puncture, and weight of a 5.1‐cm internode section, were determined for both populations. Significant negative correlations were obtained between pith cell death ratings and each of the stalk quality components. Thus, internodal cell death ratings could be successfully and practically utilized in predicting stalk quality.