Allometric Relationships of Growth Components in Maize (Zen mays L.) Cultivars

Allometric relationship (W₁=αW₂^β, where α and β are the parameters) was fitted among growth components in two maize cultivars viz., Decani hybrid and Deccan 101 in order to obtain estimates of other components of the plant system which are time consuming measurements. The results of the agronomic field trial conducted at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore were used. This model's predictability was compared with linear regression model. In both the cultivars, allometric model using leaf area (LA - W₂.) and leaf dry matter (LDM - W₂) simulated total dry matter production (DMP - W₂) by 79 to 98 % of actual values. Further allometric model fitted well to predict stem dry matter by 91 to 93 % using LDM and LA 89 to 92 % using LDW. Whereas linear regression model estimated total DMP by 95 to 96 % using cob dry matter. In case of LDM - LA association, linear regression model was found to be the best than other model. The leaf area decreased after silking in both the cultivars and the ratio of growth rates of DMP – LA ( β ₂) was negative. Between cultivars, cv. Deccan 101 had higher R² values in most of the relationships than cv. Deccan hybrid indicating the varietal difference.