Inbred maize line PHOAV

An inbred maize line, designated PH0AV, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line PH0AV, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line PH0AV with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PH0AV with another maize line or plant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is in the field of maize breeding, specifically relating to 
an inbred maize line designated PH0AV. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety or hybrid 
various desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may include 
resistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought, 
reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomic 
quality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plant 
characteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growth rate, 
maturity, and plant and ear height, is important. 
Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of the plant's 
method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen from one 
flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant. A 
plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on a different 
plant. 
Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for many 
generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a 
uniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between two different 
homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybrid plants that may 
be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of two plants each 
heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce a population of hybrid 
plants that differ genetically and will not be uniform. 
Maize (Zea mays L.), often referred to as corn in the United States, can be 
bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Maize has 
separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on the tassel 
and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs in maize when wind 
blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrude from the tops of 
the ears. 
A reliable method of controlling male fertility in plants offers the 
opportunity for improved plant breeding. This is especially true for 
development of maize hybrids, which relies upon some sort of male 
sterility system. There are several options for controlling male fertility 
available to breeders, such as: manual or mechanical emasculation (or 
detasseling), cytoplasmic male sterility, genetic male sterility, 
gametocides and the like. 
Hybrid maize seed is typically produced by a male sterility system 
incorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate strips of two 
maize inbreds are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearing tassels are 
removed from one of the inbreds (female). Providing that there is 
sufficient isolation from sources of foreign maize pollen, the ears of the 
detasseled inbred will be fertilized only from the other inbred (male), 
and the resulting seed is therefore hybrid and will form hybrid plants. 
The laborious, and occasionally unreliable, detasseling process can be 
avoided by using cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMS 
inbred are male sterile as a result of factors resulting from the 
cytoplasmic, as opposed to the nuclear, genome. Thus, this characteristic 
is inherited exclusively through the female parent in maize plants, since 
only the female provides cytoplasm to the fertilized seed. CMS plants are 
fertilized with pollen from another inbred that is not male-sterile. 
Pollen from the second inbred may or may not contribute genes that make 
the hybrid plants male-fertile. Seed from detasseled fertile maize and CMS 
produced seed of the same hybrid can be blended to insure that adequate 
pollen loads are available for fertilization when the hybrid plants are 
grown. 
There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterility available, 
such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations within the genome that 
confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,465 and 
4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations as described by 
Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. These and all patents 
referred to are incorporated by reference. In addition to these methods, 
Albertsen et al., of Pioneer Hi-Bred, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 
07/848,433, have developed a system of nuclear male sterility which 
includes: identifying a gene which is critical to male fertility; 
silencing this native gene which is critical to male fertility; removing 
the native promoter from the essential male fertility gene and replacing 
it with an inducible promoter; inserting this genetically engineered gene 
back into the plant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterile 
because the inducible promoter is not "on" resulting in the male fertility 
gene not being transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning 
"on", the promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male 
fertility to be transcribed. 
There are many other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in the 
art, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. These methods use a variety 
of approaches such as delivering into the plant a gene encoding a 
cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specific promoter or an 
antisense system in which a gene critical to fertility is identified and 
an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (see: Fabinjanski, et 
al. EPO 89/3010153.8 publication no. 329,308 and PCT application 
PCT/CA90/00037 published as WO 90/08828). 
Another system useful in controlling male sterility makes use of 
gametocides. Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topical 
application of chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are critical 
to male fertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertility in 
the plants only for the growing season in which the gametocide is applied 
(see Carlson, Glenn R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904). Application of the 
gametocide, timing of the application and genotype specificity often limit 
the usefulness of the approach. 
The use of male sterile inbreds is but one factor in the production of 
maize hybrids. The development of maize hybrids requires, in general, the 
development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and 
the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection 
breeding methods are used to develop inbred lines from breeding 
populations. Breeding programs combine the genetic backgrounds from two or 
more inbred lines or various other germplasm sources into breeding pools 
from which new inbred lines are developed by selfing and selection of 
desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines 
and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which of 
those have commercial potential. Plant breeding and hybrid development are 
expensive and time consuming processes. 
Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, each of which 
may have one or more desirable characteristics that is lacking in the 
other or which complements the other. If the two original parents do not 
provide all the desired characteristics, other sources can be included in 
the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superior plants are 
selfed and selected in successive generations. In the succeeding 
generations the heterozygous condition gives way to homogeneous lines as a 
result of self-pollination and selection. Typically in the pedigree method 
of breeding five or more generations of selfing and selection is 
practiced: F.sub.1 .fwdarw.F.sub.2 ; F.sub.3 .fwdarw.F.sub.4 ; F.sub.4 
.fwdarw.F.sub.5, etc. 
Recurrent selection breeding, backcrossing for example, can be used to 
improve an inbred line. Backcrossing can be used to transfer a specific 
desirable trait from one inbred or source to an inbred that lacks that 
trait. This can be accomplished, for example, by first crossing a superior 
inbred (recurrent parent) to a donor inbred (non-recurrent parent), that 
carries the appropriate gene(s) for the trait in question. The progeny of 
this cross is then mated back to the superior recurrent parent followed by 
selection in the resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred 
from the non-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations 
with selection for the desired trait, the progeny will be heterozygous for 
loci controlling the characteristic being transferred, but will be like 
the superior parent for most or almost all other genes. The last backcross 
generation is then selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) 
being transferred. 
A single cross maize hybrid results from the cross of two inbred lines, 
each of which has a genotype that complements the genotype of the other. 
The hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F.sub.1. In the 
development of commercial hybrids only the F.sub.1 hybrid plants are 
sought. Preferred F.sub.1 hybrids are more vigorous than their inbred 
parents. This hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in many 
polygenic traits, including increased vegetative growth and increased 
yield. 
The development of a maize hybrid involves three steps: (1) the selection 
of plants from various germplasm pools for initial breeding crosses; (2) 
the selfing of the selected plants from the breeding crosses for several 
generations to produce a series of inbred lines, which, although different 
from each other, breed true and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the 
selected inbred lines with different inbred lines to produce the hybrid 
progeny (F.sub.1). During the inbreeding process in maize, the vigor of 
the lines decreases. Vigor is restored when two different inbred lines are 
crossed to produce the hybrid progeny (F.sub.1). An important consequence 
of the homozygosity and homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid 
between a defined pair of inbreds will always be the same. Once the 
inbreds that give a superior hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed 
can be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred 
parents is maintained. 
A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed to 
produce the F.sub.1 progeny. A double cross hybrid is produced from four 
inbred lines crossed in pairs (A.times.B and C.times.D) and then the two 
F.sub.1 hybrids are crossed again (A.times.B).times.(C.times.D). Much of 
the hybrid vigor exhibited by F.sub.1 hybrids is lost in the next 
generation (F.sub.2). Consequently, seed from hybrids is not used for 
planting stock. 
Hybrid seed production requires elimination or inactivation of pollen 
produced by the female parent. Incomplete removal or inactivation of the 
pollen provides the potential for self pollination. This inadvertently 
self pollinated seed may be unintentionally harvested and packaged with 
hybrid seed. 
Once the seed is planted, it is possible to identify and select these self 
pollinated plants. These self pollinated plants will be genetically 
equivalent to the female inbred line used to produce the hybrid. 
Typically these self pollinated plants can be identified and selected due 
to their decreased vigor. Female selfs are identified by their less 
vigorous appearance for vegetative and/or reproductive characteristics, 
including shorter plant height, small ear size, ear and kernel shape, cob 
color, or other characteristics. 
Identification of these self pollinated lines can also be accomplished 
through molecular marker analyses. See, "The Identification of Female 
Selfs in Hybrid Maize: A Comparison Using Electrophoresis and Morphology", 
Smith, J. S. C. and Wych, R. D., Seed Science and Technology 14, pp. 1-8 
(1995), the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by 
reference. Through these technologies, the homozygosity of the self 
pollinated line can be verified by analyzing allelic composition at 
various loci along the genome. Those methods allow for rapid 
identification of the invention disclosed herein. See also, 
"Identification of Atypical Plants in Hybrid Maize Seed by Postcontrol and 
Electrophoresis" Sarca, V. et al., Probleme de Genetica Teoritca si 
Aplicata Vol. 20 (1) p. 29-42. 
As is readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the foregoing are only 
two of the various ways by which the inbred can be obtained by those 
looking to use the germplasm. Other means are available, and the above 
examples are illustrative only. 
Maize is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal of 
plant breeders is to develop high-yielding maize hybrids that are 
agronomically sound based on stable inbred lines. The reasons for this 
goal are obvious: to maximize the amount of grain produced with the inputs 
used and minimize susceptibility of the crop to pests and environmental 
stresses. To accomplish this goal, the maize breeder must select and 
develop superior inbred parental lines for producing hybrids. This 
requires identification and selection of genetically unique individuals 
that occur in a segregating population. The segregating population is the 
result of a combination of crossover events plus the independent 
assortment of specific combinations of alleles at many gene loci that 
results in specific genotypes. The probability of selecting any one 
individual with a specific genotype from a breeding cross is infinitesimal 
due to the large number of segregating genes and the unlimited 
recombinations of these genes, some of which may be closely linked. 
However, the genetic variation among individual progeny of a breeding 
cross allows for the identification of rare and valuable new genotypes. 
These new genotypes are neither predictable nor incremental in value, but 
rather the result of manifested genetic variation combined with selection 
methods, environments and the actions of the breeder. 
Thus, even if the entire genotypes of the parents of the breeding cross 
were characterized and a desired genotype known, only a few, if any, 
individuals having the desired genotype may be found in a large 
segregating F.sub.2 population. Typically, however, neither the genotypes 
of the breeding cross parents nor the desired genotype to be selected is 
known in any detail. In addition, it is not known how the desired genotype 
would react with the environment. This genotype by environment interaction 
is an important, yet unpredictable, factor in plant breeding. A breeder of 
ordinary skill in the art cannot predict the genotype, how that genotype 
will interact with various climatic conditions or the resulting phenotypes 
of the developing lines, except perhaps in a very broad and general 
fashion. A breeder of ordinary skill in the art would also be unable to 
recreate the same line twice from the very same original parents as the 
breeder is unable to direct how the genomes combine or how they will 
interact with the environmental conditions. This unpredictability results 
in the expenditure of large amounts of research resources in the 
development of a superior new maize inbred line. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred maize line, 
designated PH0AV. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbred maize 
line PH0AV, to the plants of inbred maize line PH0AV, and to methods for 
producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line PH0AV with 
itself or another maize line. This invention further relates to hybrid 
maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PH0AV with 
another maize line. 
Definitions 
In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are used 
herein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the 
specification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the 
following definitions are provided. NOTE: ABS is in absolute terms and % 
MN is percent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbred or 
hybrid was grown. These designators will follow the descriptors to denote 
how the values are to be interpreted. Below are the descriptors used in 
the data tables included herein. 
ANT ROT=ANTHRACNOSE STALK ROT (Colletotrichum graminicola). A 1 to 9 visual 
rating indicating the resistance to Anthracnose Stalk Rot. A higher score 
indicates a higher resistance. 
BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were not barren 
(lack ears). 
BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near the 
time of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbred 
would snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Data 
are presented as percentage of plants that did not snap. 
BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Yield of the grain at harvest in bushels per 
acre adjusted to 15.5% moisture. 
CLD TST=COLD TEST. The percent of plants that germinate under cold test 
conditions. 
CLN=CORN LETHAL NECROSIS. Synergistic interaction of maize chlorotic mottle 
virus (MCMV) in combination with either maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV-A 
or MDMV-B) or wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). A 1 to 9 visual rating 
indicating the resistance to Corn Lethal Necrosis. A higher score 
indicates a higher resistance. 
COM RST=COMMON RUST (Puccinia sorghi). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating 
the resistance to Common Rust. A higher score indicates a higher 
resistance. 
D/D=DRYDOWN. This represents the relative rate at which a hybrid will reach 
acceptable harvest moisture compared to other hybrids on a 1-9 rating 
scale. A high score indicates a hybrid that dries relatively fast while a 
low score indicates a hybrid that dries slowly. 
DIP ERS=DIPLODIA EAR MOLD SCORES (Diplodia maydis and Diplodia macrospora). 
A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Diplodia Ear Mold. A 
higher score indicates a higher resistance. 
DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per plot and 
represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior to 
harvest. 
D/T=DROUGHT TOLERANCE. This represents a 1-9 rating for drought tolerance, 
and is based on data obtained under stress conditions. A high score 
indicates good drought tolerance and a low score indicates poor drought 
tolerance. 
EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to the 
highest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured in inches. 
EAR MLD=General Ear Mold. Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very 
susceptible and a "9" is very resistant. This is based on overall rating 
for ear mold of mature ears without determining the specific mold 
organism, and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold. 
EAR SZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher the rating 
the larger the ear size. 
ECB 1LF=EUROPEAN CORN BORER FIRST GENERATION LEAF FEEDING (Ostrinia 
nubilalis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to 
preflowering leaf feeding by first generation European Corn Borer. A 
higher score indicates a higher resistance. 
ECB 2IT=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION INCHES OF TUNNELING (Ostrinia 
nubilalis). Average inches of tunneling per plant in the stalk. 
ECB 2SC=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION (Ostrinia nubilalis). A 1 to 
9 visual rating indicating post flowering degree of stalk breakage and 
other evidence of feeding by European Corn Borer, Second Generation. A 
higher score indicates a higher resistance. 
ECB DPE=EUROPEAN CORN BORER DROPPED EARS (Ostrinia nubilalis). Dropped ears 
due to European Corn Borer. Percentage of plants that did not drop ears 
under second generation corn borer infestation. 
EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishment in 
the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on per plot 
basis for the inbred or hybrid. 
EYE SPT=Eye Spot (Kabatiella zeae or Aureobasidium zeae). A 1 to 9 visual 
rating indicating the resistance to Eye Spot. A higher score indicates a 
higher resistance. 
FUS ERS=FUSARIUM EAR ROT SCORE (Fusarium moniliforme or Fusarium 
subglutinans). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to 
Fusarium ear rot. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. 
GDU=Growing Degree Units. Using the Barger Heat Unit Theory, which assumes 
that maize growth occurs in the temperature range 50.degree. F.-86.degree. 
F. and that temperatures outside this range slow down growth; the maximum 
daily heat unit accumulation is 36 and the minimum daily heat unit 
accumulation is 0. The seasonal accumulation of GDU is a major factor in 
determining maturity zones. 
GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heat 
units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 
percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time of 
planting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method, where 
the heat units for a 24-hour period are: 
##EQU1## 
The highest maximum temperature used is 86.degree. F. and the lowest 
minimum temperature used is 50.degree. F. For each inbred or hybrid it 
takes a certain number of GDUs to reach various stages of plant 
development. 
GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for an 
inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants with 
silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units are calculated 
by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition. 
GIB ERS=GIBBERELLA EAR ROT (PINK MOLD) (Gibberella zeae). A 1 to 9 visual 
rating indicating the resistance to Gibberella Ear Rot. A higher score 
indicates a higher resistance. 
GLF SPT=Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis). A 1 to 9 visual rating 
indicating the resistance to Gray Leaf Spot. A higher score indicates a 
higher resistance. 
GOS WLT=Goss' Wilt (Corynebacterium nebraskense). A 1 to 9 visual rating 
indicating the resistance to Goss' Wilt. A higher score indicates a higher 
resistance. 
GRN APP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the general 
appearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factors 
as the color of harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any cracked 
grain. High scores indicate good grain quality. 
H/POP=YIELD AT HIGH DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively high plant 
densities on 1-9 relative rating system with a higher number indicating 
the hybrid responds well to high plant densities for yield relative to 
other hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, and very 
good yield response, respectively, to increased plant density. 
HC BLT=Helminthosporium carbonum LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium carbonum). A 
1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Helminthosporium 
infection. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. 
HD SMT=HEAD SMUT (Sphacelotheca reiliana). This score indicates the 
percentage of plants not infected. 
INC D/A=GROSS INCOME (DOLLARS PER ACRE). Relative income per acre assuming 
drying costs of two cents per point above 15.5 percent harvest moisture 
and current market price per bushel. 
INCOME/ACRE. Income advantage of hybrid to be patented over other hybrid on 
per acre basis. 
INC ADV=GROSS INCOME ADVANTAGE. GROSS INCOME advantage of variety #1 over 
variety #2. 
KSZ DCD=KERNEL SIZE DISCARD. The percent of discard seed; calculated as the 
sum of discarded tip kernels and extra large kemels. 
L/POP=YIELD AT LOW DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively low plant densities 
on a 1-9 relative system with a higher number indicating the hybrid 
responds well to low plant densities for yield relative to other hybrids. 
A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, and very good yield 
response, respectively, to low plant density. 
MDM CPX MAIZE DWARF MOSAIC COMPLEX (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus and 
MCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the 
resistance to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex. A higher score indicates a 
higher resistance. 
MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture of the 
grain at harvest. 
MST ADV=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE. The moisture advantage of variety #1 over 
variety #2 as calculated by: MOISTURE of variety #2--MOISTURE of variety 
#1=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE of variety #1. 
NLF BLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Helminthosporium turcicum or Exserohilum 
turcicum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Northern 
Leaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. 
PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant from the 
ground to the tip of the tassel in inches. 
POL SC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount of pollen 
shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed. 
POL WT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tassels collected 
as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar tassels harvested 
after shedding is complete. 
It should be understood that the inbred can, through routine manipulation 
of cytoplasmic or other factors, be produced in a male-sterile form. Such 
embodiments are also contemplated within the scope of the present claims. 
POP K/A=PLANT POPULATIONS. Measured as 1000s per acre. 
POP ADV=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE. The plant population advantage of 
variety #1 over variety #2 as calculated by PLANT POPULATION of variety 
#2--PLANT POPULATION of variety #1=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE of variety 
#1. 
PRM=PREDICTED RELATIVE MATURITY. This trait, predicted relative maturity, 
is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relative maturity 
rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standard linear 
regression analyses and is also referred to as the Comparative Relative 
Maturity Rating System that is similar to the Minnesota Relative Maturity 
Rating System. 
PRM SHD=A relative measure of the growing degree units (GDU) required to 
reach 50% pollen shed. Relative values are predicted values from the 
linear regression of observed GDU's on relative maturity of commercial 
checks. 
RT LDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that do not 
root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 
30.degree. angle or greater would be counted as root lodged. 
RTL ADV=ROOT LODGING ADVANTAGE. The root lodging advantage of variety #1 
over variety #2. 
SCT GRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount of 
scatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. The 
higher the score the less scatter grain. 
SDG VGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amount of 
vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage (approximately 
five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor. 
SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure of the 
hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A maize breeder 
may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selection index. One of 
the traits that is almost always included is yield. The selection index 
data presented in the tables represent the mean value averaged across 
testing stations. 
SLF BLT=SOUTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium maydis or Bipolaris maydis). 
A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Southern Leaf Blight. 
A higher score indicates a higher resistance. 
SOU RST=SOUTHERN RUST (Puccinia polysora). A 1 to 9 visual rating 
indicating the resistance to Southern Rust. A higher score indicates a 
higher resistance. 
STA GRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near the time 
of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high score indicates 
better late-season plant health. 
STD ADV=STALK STANDING ADVANTAGE. The advantage of variety #1 over variety 
#2 for the trait STK CNT. 
STK CNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plants per 
plot. 
STK LDG=STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did not stalk 
lodge (stalk breakage) as measured by either natural lodging or pushing 
the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that break below the 
ear. 
STW WLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii). A 1 to 9 visual rating 
indicating the resistance to Stewart's Wilt. A higher score indicates a 
higher resistance. 
TAS BLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure the degree 
of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at the time of 
flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting at time of 
flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting. 
TAS SZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate the 
relative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger the tassel. 
TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams) just 
prior to pollen shed. 
TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate the 
relative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would be very 
soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or very smooth 
crown). 
TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that could 
possibly shed pollen was taken. Data are given as a percentage of tillers: 
number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants per plot. 
TST WT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of the grain in 
pounds for a given volume (bushel). 
TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT ADJUSTED. The measure of the weight of the grain in 
pounds for a given volume (bushel) adjusted for 15.5 percent moisture. 
TSW ADV=TEST WEIGHT ADVANTAGE. The test weight advantage of variety #1 over 
variety #2. 
WIN M %=PERCENT MOISTURE WINS. 
WIN Y %=PERCENT YIELD WINS. 
YLD=YIELD. It is the same as BU ACR ABS. 
YLD ADV=YIELD ADVANTAGE. The yield advantage of variety #1 over variety #2 
as calculated by: YIELD of variety #1--YIELD variety #2=yield advantage of 
variety #1. 
YLD SC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relative 
rating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating the 
greater visual yield appearance. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Inbred maize lines are typically developed for use in the production of 
hybrid maize lines. Inbred maize lines need to be highly homogeneous, 
homozygous and reproducible to be useful as parents of commercial hybrids. 
There are many analytical methods available to determine the homozygotic 
and phenotypic stability of these inbred lines. 
The oldest and most traditional method of analysis is the observation of 
phenotypic traits. The data is usually collected in field experiments over 
the life of the maize plants to be examined. Phenotypic characteristics 
most often observed are for traits associated with plant morphology, ear 
and kernel morphology, insect and disease resistance, maturity, and yield. 
In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can also be 
examined. There are many laboratory-based techniques available for the 
analysis, comparison and characterization of plant genotype; among these 
are Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms 
(RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed 
Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting 
(DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified 
Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) 
which are also referred to as Microsatellites. 
The most widely used of these laboratory techniques are Isozyme 
Electrophoresis and RFLPs as discussed in Lee, M., "Inbred Lines of Maize 
and Their Molecular Markers," The Maize Handbook, (Springer-Verlag, New 
York, Inc. 1994, at 423-432) incorporated herein by reference. Isozyme 
Electrophoresis is a useful tool in determining genetic composition, 
although it has relatively low number of available markers and the low 
number of allelic variants among maize inbreds. RFLPs have the advantage 
of revealing an exceptionally high degree of allelic variation in maize 
and the number of available markers is almost limitless. 
Maize RFLP linkage maps have been rapidly constructed and widely 
implemented in genetic studies. One such study is described in 
Boppenmaier, et al., "Comparisons among strains of inbreds for RFLPs", 
Maize Genetics Cooperative Newsletter, 65:1991, pg. 90, is incorporated 
herein by reference. This study used 101 RFLP markers to analyze the 
patterns of 2 to 3 different deposits each of five different inbred lines. 
The inbred lines had been selfed from 9 to 12 times before being adopted 
into 2 to 3 different breeding programs. It was results from these 2 to 3 
different breeding programs that supplied the different deposits for 
analysis. These five lines were maintained in the separate breeding 
programs by selfing or sibbing and rogueing off-type plants for an 
additional one to eight generations. After the RFLP analysis was 
completed, it was determined the five lines showed 0-2% residual 
heterozygosity. Although this was a relatively small study, it can be seen 
using RFLPs that the lines had been highly homozygous prior to the 
separate strain maintenance. 
Inbred maize line PH0AV is a yellow dent maize inbred that is best suited 
as a male in crosses for producing first generation F.sub.1 maize hybrids. 
Inbred maize line PH0AV is best adapted to the Northwest, Northcentral and 
Northeast regions of the United States and the Corn Belt region of Canada 
and can be used to produce hybrids from approximately 92-100 relative 
maturity based on the Comparative Relative Maturity Rating System for 
harvest moisture of grain. Inbred maize line PH0AV demonstrates reliable 
late season plant health and good pollen shed, with an above average 
number of tillers. In hybrid combinations, PH0AV demonstrates high yield 
for its maturity, sound seedling vigor, large plant stature, consistent 
plant health, fast drydown, and has an attractive plant appearance. In 
hybrid combination, PH0AV also demonstrates acceptable resistance to Gray 
Leaf Spot, superior resistance to Northern Leaf Blight, superior 
resistance to Goss's Wilt and superior resistance to Head Smut. For its 
area of adaptation, PH0AV demonstrates high yields, resistance to leaf 
diseases, consistent late season plant health, and reliable seedling 
vigor. 
The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits of 
environmental influence for all the traits as described in the Variety 
Description Information (Table 1) that follows. The inbred has been 
self-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number of generations with 
careful attention paid to uniformity of plant type to ensure the 
homozygosity and phenotypic stability necessary to use in commercial 
production. The line has been increased both by hand and in isolated 
fields with continued observation for uniformity. No variant traits have 
been observed or are expected in PH0AV. 
Inbred maize line PH0AV, being substantially homozygous, can be reproduced 
by planting seeds of the line, growing the resulting maize plants under 
self-pollinating or sib-pollinating conditions with adequate isolation, 
and harvesting the resulting seed, using techniques familiar to the 
agricultural arts. 
TABLE 1 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION 
VARIETY = PH0AV 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
1. TYPE: (describe intermediate types in Comments section): 
2 1 = Sweet 2 = Dent 3 = Flint 4 = Flour 5 = Pop 8 = Ornamental 
2. MATURITY: 
DAYS HEAT UNITS 
064 1,247.0 From emergence to 50% of plants in silk 
064 1,240.8 From emergence to 50% of plants in pollen 
004 0,093.5 From 10% to 90% pollen shed 
066 1,310.8 From 50% silk to harvest at 25% moisture 
Standard 
Sample 
3. PLANT: Deviation 
Size 
0,176.0 cm Plant Height (to tassel tip) 4.90 4 
0,088.8 cm Ear Height (to base of top ear node) 
5.85 4 
0,011.6 cm Length of Top Ear Internode 0.91 20 
1 Average Number of Tillers 0.50 4 
1.0 Average Number of Ears per Stalk 
0.00 4 
3.0 Anthocyanin of Brace Roots: 1 = Absent 2 = Faint 3 = Moderate 4 = 
Dark 
Standard 
Sample 
4. LEAF: Deviation 
Size 
006.9 cm Width of Ear Node Leaf 0.62 20 
062.8 cm Length of Ear Node Leaf 8.42 20 
04.7 Number of leaves above top ear 0.50 20 
030.0 Degrees Leaf Angle (measure from 2nd leaf above 
9.80 4 
ear at anthesis to stalk above leaf) 
03 Leaf Color 
Dark Green 
(Munsell code) 5GY36 
1.3 Leaf Sheath Pubescence (Rate on scale from 1 = none to 9 = like 
peach fuzz) 
7.0 Marginal Waves (Rate on scale from 1 = none to 9 = many) 
4.3 Longitudinal Creases (Rate on scale from 1 = none to 9 = many) 
Standard 
Sample 
5. TASSEL: Deviation 
Size 
04.3 Number of Primary Lateral Branches 
1.50 20 
039.3 Branch Angle from Central Spike 7.23 4 
45.8 cm Tassel Length (from top leaf collar to tassel 
3.98 4 
8.0 Pollen Shed (rate on scale from 0 = male sterile to 9 = heavy 
shed) 
07 Anther Color 
Yellow (Munsell code) 10Y8.58 
01 Glume Color 
Light Green 
(Munsell code) 5GY66 
1.0 Bar Glumes (Glume Bands): 1 = Absent 2 = Present 
20 Peduncle Length (cm. from top leaf to basal branches) 
6a. EAR (Unhusked Data): 
1 Silk Color (3 days after emergence) 
Light Green (Munsell code) 
2.5GY96 
2 Fresh Husk Color (25 days after 50% silking) 
Medium Green (Munsell code) 
5GY56 
21 Dry Husk Color (65 days after 50% silking) 
Buff (Munsell code) 
25Y8.54 
Position of Ear at Dry Husk Stage: 1 = Upright 2 = Horizontal 3 = 
Pendant 
4 Husk Tightness (Rate of Scale from 1 = very loose to 9 = very 
tight) 
2 Husk Extension (at harvest): 1 = Short (ears exposed) 2 = Medium 
(&lt;8 cm) 
3 = Long (8-10 cm beyond ear tip) 4 = Very Long (&gt;10 
Medium 
Standard 
Sample 
6b. EAR (Husked Ear Data): Deviation 
Size 
13 cm Ear Length 0.57 20 
38 mm Ear Diameter at mid-point 1.33 20 
81 gm Ear Weight 10.23 20 
13 Number of Kernel Rows 0.55 20 
2 Kernel Rows: 1 = Indistinct 2 = Distinct 
Distinct 
1 Row Alignment: 1 = Straight 2 = Slightly Curved 3 
Straight 
11 cm Shank Length 2.01 20 
2 Ear Taper: 1 = Slight 2 = Average 3 = Extreme 
Average 
Ear Taper: 1 = Slight 2 = Average 3 = Extreme 
Average 
Standard 
Sample 
7. KERNEL (Dried): Deviation 
Size 
11 mm Kernel Length 0.30 20 
7 mm Kernel Width 0.47 20 
4 mm Kernel Thickness 0.47 20 
14 % Round Kernels (Shape Grade) 5.97 4 
1 Aleurone Color Pattern: 1 = Homozygous 2 = Segregating 
Homozygous 
7 Aluerone Color 
Yellow (Munsell code) 
2.5Y812 
7 Hard Endosperm Color 
Yellow (Munsell code) 
10YR712 
3 Endosperm Type: 
Normal Starch 
1 = Sweet (Su1) 2 = Extra Sweet (sh2) 3 = Normal Starch 
4 = High Amylose Starch 5 = Waxy Starch 8 = High Protein 
7 = High Lysine 8 = Super Sweet (se) 9 = High Oil 
10 = Other 
23 gm Weight per 100 Kernels (unsized sample) 
2.06 4 
Standard 
Sample 
8. COB: Deviation 
Size 
18 mm Cob Diameter at mid-point 0.99 20 
23 Cob Color Brown (Munsell code) 
10R56 
2 Cob Strength 1 = Weak 2 = Strong 
9. DISEASE RESISTANCE (Rate from 1 (most susceptible) to 9 (most 
resistant); leave blank 
if not tested; leave Race or Strain Options blank if polygenic): 
A. Leaf Blights, Witts and Local Infection Diseases. 
Anthracnose Leaf Blight (Colletotrichum graminicola) 
Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi) 
Common Smut (Ustilago 
maydis) Eyespot (Kabatiella zeae) 
5 Goss's Witt (Clavibacter michiganense spp. nebraskense) 
5 Gray Leaf Spot (Cersospora zeae-maydis) 
Helminthosporium Leaf Spot (Bipolaris zeicola) Race 
7 Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum) Race 
Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis) Race 
Southern Rust (Puccinia polysora) 
3 Stewart's Witt (Erwinia stewartii) 
Other (Specify) 
B. Systemic Diseases 
Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV and MDMV) 
Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana) 
Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus (MDV) 
Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) 
Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV) 
Sorghum Downy Mildew of Corn (Peronosclerospora sorghi) 
Other (Specify) 
C. Stalk Rots 
Arthracnose Stalk Rot (Colletotrichum graminlcola) 
Diplodia Stalk Rot (Stenocarpella maydis) 
Fusarium Stalk Rot (Fusarium moliliforme) 
Gibberella Stalk Rot (Gibberella zeae) 
Other (Specify) 
D. Ear and Kernel Rots 
Aspergillus Ear and Kernel Rot (Aspergillus flavus) 
Diplodia Ear Rot (Stenocarpella maydis) 
Fusarium Ear and Kernel Rot (Fusarium moniliforme) 
4 Gibberella Ear Rot (Gibberella zeae) 
Other (Specify) 
Banks grass Mite (Oligonychus pratensis) 
Corn Worm (Helicoveropa zea) 
Leaf Feeding 
Silk Feeding 
mg larval wt. 
Ear Damage 
Corn Leaf Aphid (Rhopalosiphum maldis) 
Corn Sap Beetle (Carpophilus dimidiatus 
European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) 
5 1st Generation (Typically Whorl Leaf Feeding) 
5 2nd Generation (Typically Leaf Sheath-Collar Feeding) 
Stalk Tunneling 
cm tunneled/plant 
Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera fruqiperda) 
Leaf Feeding 
Silk Feeding 
mg larval wt. 
Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamaize 
Northern Rootworm (Diabrotica barberi) 
Southern Rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) 
Southwestern Corn Borer (Diatreaea grandiosella) 
Leaf Feeding 
Stalk Tunneling 
cm tunneled/plant 
Two-spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae) 
Western Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifrea virgifera) 
Other (Specify) 
11. AGRONOMIC TRAITS: 
4 Staygreen (at 65 days after anthesis) (Rate on a scale from 1 = 
worst to 
excellent) 
0.0 % Dropped Ears (at 65 days after anthesis) 
% Pre-anthesis Brittle Snapping 
% Pre-anthesis Root Lodging 
6.4 Post-anthesis Root Lodging (at 65 days after anthesis) 
3,530 Kg/ha Yield (at 12-13% grain moisture) 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
*In interpreting the foregoing color designations, reference may be had t 
the Munsell Glossy Book of Color, a standard color reference. 
Industrial Applicability 
This invention also is directed to methods for producing a maize plant by 
crossing a first parent maize plant with a second parent maize plant 
wherein either the first or second parent maize plant is an inbred maize 
plant of the line PH0AV. Further, both first and second parent maize 
plants can come from the inbred maize line PH0AV. Thus, any such methods 
using the inbred maize line PH0AV are part of this invention: selfing, 
backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like. All 
plants produced using inbred maize line PH0AV as a parent are within the 
scope of this invention. Advantageously, the inbred maize line is used in 
crosses with other, different, maize inbreds to produce first generation 
(F.sub.1) maize hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics. 
As used herein, the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, 
plant cell tissue cultures from which maize plants can be regenerated, 
plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or 
parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, kernels, ears, 
cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk and the like. 
Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta (1985) 165:322-332 reflects 
that 97% of the plants cultured that produced callus were capable of plant 
regeneration. 
Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybrids produced 91% 
regenerable callus that produced plants. In a further study in 1988, 
Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988), 7:262-265 reports 
several media additions that enhance regenerability of callus of two 
inbred lines. Other published reports also indicated that "nontraditional" 
tissues are capable of producing somatic embryogenesis and plant 
regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter, 
60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesis from glume callus 
cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports, 6:345-347 (1987) 
indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissue cultures of maize leaf 
segments. Thus, it is clear from the literature that the state of the art 
is such that these methods of obtaining plants are, and were, 
"conventional" in the sense that they are routinely used and have a very 
high rate of success. 
Tissue culture of maize is described in European Patent Application, 
publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Maize tissue 
culture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "Plant 
Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research 
(Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at 
367-372) and in Duncan, et al., "The Production of Callus Capable of Plant 
Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Numerous Zea mays Genotypes," 165 
Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus, another aspect of this invention is to 
provide cells which upon growth and differentiation produce maize plants 
having the physiological and morphological characteristics of inbred line 
PH0AV. 
Maize is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material in 
industry. The food uses of maize, in addition to human consumption of 
maize kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries. 
The principal products of maize dry milling are grits, meal and flour. The 
maize wet-milling industry can provide maize starch, maize syrups, and 
dextrose for food use. Maize oil is recovered from maize germ, which is a 
by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries. 
Maize, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is also 
used extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairy 
cattle, hogs, and poultry. 
Industrial uses of maize include production of ethanol, maize starch in the 
wet-milling industry and maize flour in the dry-milling industry. The 
industrial applications of maize starch and flour are based on functional 
properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesive properties, and 
ability to suspend particles. The maize starch and flour have application 
in the paper and textile industries. Other industrial uses include 
applications in adhesives, building materials, foundry binders, laundry 
starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other mining applications. 
Plant parts other than the grain of maize are also used in industry: for 
example, stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs are 
used for fuel and to make charcoal. 
The seed of inbred maize line PH0AV, the plant produced from the inbred 
seed, the hybrid maize plant produced from the crossing of the inbred, 
hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybrid maize plant can be utilized 
for human food, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.