42 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



different types we find variations in the shape of the kernel 

 and the manner of growth of the plant. 



34. Dent corn. — Dent corns have the hard or horny 

 endosperm arranged along the sides of the kernel and the 

 white or soft endosperm sm^rounding the germ on three 

 sides and extending to the crown. Thus the horny endo- 

 sperm forms rigid sides to the kernel, while the center, 

 being composed of soft endosperm containing a large 

 amomit of water, shrinks more 

 rapidly than the sides and causes 

 a dent in the crown at maturity. 

 Because of this dent in the crown, 

 the class is called dent corn. The 

 degree of the dent is largely due 

 to the proportion of soft to hard 

 endosperm. Dent corn is char- 

 acterized by its deep and usually 

 wedged shaped grains, large di- 

 ameter of the ear and large num- 

 ber of rows of kernels. There is 

 of course great variation in the 

 height of the plant, the size and 

 shape of the ear, and the hke, due to variety differences 

 or to environment. Usually only one ear is produced 

 on each stalk, but when planted thinly or on very fertile 

 land, two and sometimes three ears are produced. Dent 

 corn does not sucker freely except when thinly planted. 

 The number of rows of kernels per ear varies from 10 to 24, 

 but almost all of the dent varieties have from 16 to 20 

 rows. The ears vary from 6 to 14 inches in length, 

 and from 5.5 to 7.5 inches in circumference. The most 

 common measurements are from 6.5 to 7 inches in cir- 

 cumference and from 8 to 9 inches in length. Ears vary 



Fig. 6. — Cross section of 

 a kernel of dent corn. 



