Il Grano Ramoso Ibleo e le sue Forme

Summary

In this note about the Hybleous branching corn' and its forms, I refer the results of experiences of the last four years with a particular variety of branching corn, gathered on the Hybleous hills in Sicily.

First of all I emphasize the economical importance of this corn, which can give plentiful crops, more than 837–975 times the weight of the seeds.

Three different qualities of corn come from the seeds of a same branching ear: corn with single ear, corn with branching ear, and corn with branching and single ears on the same plant. From another experience it results that from the seeds of the above named qualities, gathered separately, each kind sown separately in separate beds, have produced, in each bed all three forms of the above mentioned corn, as in the preceding generation.

In another experiment of a different order (1951–52 e 1952–53) have been sown, in an advanced season, seeds of branching corn in a flower-bed set apart, more than three months later than the ordinary sowing time. This delay in date has yielded noticeable effects, among which the most interesting are: the life cycle of corn has been shortened and obliged to develop itself in three months and half only. The seed's summer rest has been prolonged three months over and above it's normal time. The seeds themselves have not able to avail themselves of the winter cold and the low temperatures. Corn's seeds and plants are exposed to the quick approach of the hot and dry season which has hastened the plant's growth and the ripening of the ears. Many particular conditions of the surroundings have resulted, which have disturbed the internal conditions of the plant, and forced the plants to react and to yeld not more branching ears, but only single and scarce ears. A transformation of form has been produced by the influence of the external causes. This recalls to mind the phenomenon of eredità scossa.