Progressive Agriculture

Time of pollination and environment are the important factors which influence silk receptivity and kernel set. Evaluation four hybrids revealed significant differences for kernel set, silk elongation and duration of silk receptivity. During three consecutive seasons kharif 2007, rabi 2007 and kharif 2008. In this experiment pollen-saturating hand pollination was practiced at varying days after first silk appearance (DAFS). Kernel set on primary ears was determined for BH 40625 (low silk turgor), KML 5 x KML 93 (high silk turgor), BML6 x tiviL 29 and BML6 x KML 11. KML5 x KML93 had the fastest Initial silk growth rate, resulting in earlier successful pollination of mid base floret positions. However, these floret positions declined in kernel set at later DAFS due to loss in silk receptivity and poor silk health. Thus, it had a lower final kernel number and a faster decline in kernel set when pollinated 10 DAFS In 2007 kharif and 8 DAFS in 2007 rabi and 2008 kharif. Although silk elongation patterns were different, silk growth rates for all four hybrids gradually declined to near zero by 8 to 10 DAFS in 2007 kharif.