Maize Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 149-166 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 153 density (Wang et al., 2021). Through the field lodging resistance test, it can be seen that the introduced varieties basically have no lodging from heading to maturity, and most varieties have strong stalks and well-developed root systems. For example, the lodging rate and bending rate recorded at the test sites of 'Xiantiannuo 88', 'Ditiannuo 336', and 'Zhencaitiannuo 608' are all 0%. This suggests that these varieties are genetically resistant to lodging, or that the plant shape and mechanical strength support the plants' high yields without falling over. 3.2 Ear length, thickness, and kernel row number Ear traits are important indicators for measuring the commodity value of fresh corn varieties. The ear appearance and structure indicators of each variety measured in this study are as follows: the average ear length is between 18 cm and 22 cm, the ear diameter (ear transverse diameter) is about 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, and the number of ear rows is mostly 12 to 16. There are slight differences between different varieties, but overall they can form medium-to-large ears, meeting the requirements of fresh corn commodities. For example, the ears of 'Xiantiannuo 88' are conical, with an ear length of 19.7 cm, an ear diameter of 4.8 cm, and 14 rows of ears; the ears of 'Henuo 615' are cylindrical, with an ear length of 20.7 cm, an ear diameter of 5.0 cm, and 14 rows of ears; the ears of 'Ditiannuo 336' are cylindrical, with an ear length of 19.4 cm, an ear diameter of 5.3 cm, and 13.1 rows of ears; the ears of 'Zhencaitiannuo 608' are 21.6 cm long, an ear diameter of 5.4 cm, and 14.9 rows of ears. It can be seen that the ear length of these new varieties is generally around 20 cm, the thickness is about 5 cm, and the size is uniform. In comparison, the ideal ear length of general fresh corn is between 18 cm and 22 cm. cm, and the number of ear rows is between 12 and 18 rows, so the ear type of this batch of varieties has reached or is close to the ideal target. In terms of the arrangement of the ear axis and grains, the performance of each variety is also relatively good. The results of field testing show that the tops of the ears of many varieties are well-formed, the bald tips are very short or even absent, and the grains are evenly full from the base to the top. For example, the bald tip length of 'Ditiannuo 336' is only 0.6 cm, and the bald tip length of 'Zhencaitiannuo 608' is 0.8 cm, which is basically negligible. This shows that they can be fully fertilized during the flowering and pollination period, and there is no poor pollination caused by stresses such as drought and high temperature. Neat and compact arrangement of ear rows is also one of the important traits of fresh-eating corn (Wang et al., 2023). The grains of the cited varieties are evenly arranged, and the number of grains in a row is generally between 30 and 40. For example, 'Henuo 615' has an average of 40.4 grains per row, and 'Ditiannuo 336' has 36.2 grains per row. These data show that a single ear can accommodate a large number of grains and has the potential to become a large-ear variety. The grain size of different varieties varies. Sweet corn grains are relatively small and round, while glutinous corn grains are relatively large and flat. When screening high-quality fruit corn in Guangdong, it was also found that the grain size of the test varieties ranged from small to medium, and the head and tail of the ear were uniform, with no obvious size differences. Similar situations were observed in this study: such as the sweet corn variety 'Jinyin 208' has relatively small grains but is closely arranged, while the glutinous corn variety 'Meiyu 25' has relatively large grains but has regular rows. The introduced varieties have excellent ear length, thickness, and number of rows, and outstanding commercial traits. The large, uniform, and full ear shape lays the foundation for its popularity in the market. 3.3 Yield performance and estimated economic benefits Through two years of regional trials and field yield measurements, this batch of new fresh corn varieties have shown a high level of fresh ear yield, and some varieties have a significant yield advantage over local controls. The results of regional trials show that under ordinary field conditions (non-saline-alkali land), the yield of fresh ears per mu of most varieties is between 800 and 1 000 kilograms, and the yield of some excellent varieties exceeds 1 200 kilograms per mu. Taking the data of the adaptation test of introduced varieties in Zhejiang Province as an example: in the spring of 2019, 'Xiantiannuo 88' was tested in five pilot areas including Longyou, Jinhua and Ningbo, with an average yield of 1 230.2 kg per mu, 4.4% higher than the control 'Suyunuo 5'; 'Henuo 615' had an average yield of 895.1 kg per mu, 18.4% higher than the control 'Meiyu 8'; 'Ditiannuo 336' had an average yield of 807.5 kg per mu, 3.2% higher than the control 'Zhenuoyu 5' (especially good in the pilot area of Linhai); 'Zhencaitiannuo 608' had an average yield of 957.3 kg per mu, 22.3% higher than the control, with significant yield increase effect. These data show that in Linhai and similar ecological areas, these new varieties
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