GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN RELATION TO LEAF ORIENTATION
GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN RELATION TO LEAF ORIENTATION
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Date
1990-10
Authors
YOLA, LUKA MOHAMMED
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Abstract
Some biological aspects of growth and yield
in maize (Zea mays L.) were studied. Leaves were
found to first emerge from the embryo side of the
kernel and are always oriented at right angles to
the plane of the kernels' flat surface.
Vernation is such that leaf blades are rolled
either to the right or to the left. It has been
found that the direction of rolling of the first
foliage leaf is random and seedlings are equally
disposed to roll left or right. However, once the
manner of rolling is established for the first leaf,
subsequent leaves roll in opposite directions.
The growth and yield of the maize was assessed
in relation to leaf orientation. In one of the leaf
orientations, the leaf plane is along the path of the
sun. In the second orientation, the leaf plane is
perpendicular to the path of the sun. Although the
differences in terms of growth and yield between the
two leaf orientations are not statistically significant,
leaves oriented with their planes
perpendicular to the path of the sun seemed to
perform slightly better than those oriented with
their planes along the path of the sun.
It is recommended that a more detailed
study be carried out so as to identify the y the most
desirable plant-leaf orientation which can be used
as a means of increasing maize yield.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate
School, Ahmadu Bello University, in partial
fulfilment of the requirement for the
degree of Master of Science (Educational Biology).
Department of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science,
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, NIGERIA.
Keywords
GROWTH,, YIELD,, (Zea mays L.),, RELATION,, LEAF ORIENTATION,