Commercial hybrid maize normally grows to a height
of nine to ten feet with each plant having either one or
two ears. The ear normally grows about one-third the
way up the plant or about three feet from the ground.
Consequently the maize plant, while providing a large ear has a substantial leaf and stalk structure and a con
siderable mechanical stability problem in that the heavy ear is about three feet from the ground with six feet of
stalk and the tassels extending above that. In the past,
efforts have been made to develop strong stalks and
branching of secondary roots in maize to help alleviate
this problem. While these efforts have improved the
mechanical stability of maize considerably, heavy wind
storms and rain can still wreak havoc in a ?eld of maize.
Accordingly, one of the objects of this invention is to
provide a method to improve the mechanical stability of
the plant.