Abstract:
An inbred corn line, designated NP 2010, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line NP 2010, to the plants of inbred corn line NP 2010 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing inbred line NP 2010 with itself or with another corn plant. The invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing inbred line NP 2010 with another corn line.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a new and distinctive corn inbred line designated NP 2010 and to hybrids made by using NP 2010 as a parent. 
     Corn ( Zea mays ) is a valuable and important field crop. Thus, plant breeders are continually developing new and superior corn inbred lines for production of high yielding, agronomically sound hybrids. The goal of the plant breeder is to combine in a single variety or hybrid an improved combination of desirable traits from the parent, inbred germplasm. These traits may include maximization of yield, resistance to disease and insects, tolerance to drought, heat and other environmental stresses. These traits are governed by a complex genetic system that makes selection and breeding of an inbred line challenging. 
     Corn hybrid development requires the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the subsequent evaluation of those crosses. Pedigree, backcross, 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 genetic sources into breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed by self pollination and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbred lines are crossed with other inbred lines, and hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which have commercial potential. 
     Once the inbred parents that give a superior hybrid are identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as inbred parent homogeneity is maintained. Corn hybrids may be either single cross hybrids, produced when two inbred lines are crossed to produce the first generation (F 1 ) progeny; double cross hybrids, produced from four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F 1  hybrids are crossed again (A×B)(C×D); or three-way cross hybrids produced from crossing a single cross (A×B) to a third inbred line C. Numerous references are available on the topic of corn breeding and hybrid seed corn production. Those skilled in the art of corn breeding and production are well aware of techniques and methods for the development of inbred corn lines and corn hybrids. However, while many of the techniques and methods are known, breeder care and expertise must be used in the selection of breeding material for resulting yield increase and superior agronomic traits. Reference is made particularly to Corn and Corn Improvement, Third Edition, ed. G. F. Sprague and J. W. Dudley, American Society of Agronomy Monograph No. 18, particularly chapters 8 and 9, the substantive content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred corn line, designated NP 2010. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbred corn line NP 2010, to the plants of inbred corn line NP 2010 and to methods of producing a corn plant comprising the crossing of inbred corn line NP 2010 with itself or another corn line. 
     This invention further relates to hybrid corn seed produced by crossing the inbred line NP 2010 with another corn inbred line. More specifically the invention extends to hybrid corn seed produced by planting in pollinating proximity seeds of inbred corn line NP 2010 and a second inbred line having a genotype different from NP 2010; cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting until time of flowering; emasculating the flowers of plants of one of the inbred lines; allowing cross pollination to occur between the inbred lines; and harvesting seeds produced on the plants of the inbred line. The hybrid plants grown from the seed produced as stated above. 
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
     In the description and examples that follow a number of terms are used; therefore, to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims the following definitions are provided. 
     RK=Round Kernels: the percentage of kernels that do not pass through a {fraction (13/64)} slotted screen. 
     HE=Husk Extension: the length (cm) of the husk past the ear tip at maturity. 
     NN=Node Number: the number of nodes of the entire plant. 
     PRM=Predicted Relative Maturity. This trait is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relative maturity rating is based on a known set of checks, and is referred to as the Minnesota Relative Rating System. 
     MST=Harvest Moisture. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture of the grain at harvest. 
     STK (BR)=The percentage of plants broken below the ear at harvest. 
     YLD=Yield; bushels per acre. The actual yield of the grain at harvest (bu/a) adjusted to approximately 15.5% moisture. 
     RT=Number of plants lodged (leaning from vertical but not broken). 
     Plt. Ht.=Plant Height; The length of the plant to tassel tip (cm).          HU   =     Heat                 Units       ;                        Max                 Temp                   (     ≤     86      °                   F   .         )       +     Min                 Temp                   (     ≥     50      °                   F   .         )                      2     -   50                            
     HUS=Heat units from emergence to 50% of plants in silk. 
     HU to pollen=Heat units from emergence to 50% of plants in pollen. 
     HU of pollen shed=Heat units from 10% to 90% pollen shed. 
     Ear Ht.=Ear Height. The measurement from the ground to the top developed ear node attachment measured in cm. 
     INTL=Late Season Intactness based on a rating scale of 1 to 9 wherein the rating describes the degree to which portion of plant above the ear remains intact and erect at harvest time and wherein a low rating is best. 
     STGR=Stay Green. The measure of plant health near the time of physiological maturity. The rating is based on a scale of 1 to 9 wherein 1 indicates better late-season plant health. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Inbred corn line NP 2010 is a yellow dent inbred line with superior characteristics and is best suited as a male in crosses for production of first generation (F 1  ) corn hybrids. NP 2010 is best adapted to the North central Cornbelt Area of the United States. NP 2010 can be used to produce hybrids from approximately 115-125 PRM days based on the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System for harvest of grain. Inbred line NP 2010 has demonstrated good combining ability with families derived from Iowa Stiff Stalk, for example B73 and related lines. 
     Inbred corn line NP 2010 was derived from the crossing LH 123, Holdens Foundation Seed to Northrup King proprietary line J8607. Self-pollination and standard pedigree ear-to-row breeding were practiced within the above population for seven generations in the development of NP 2010. During the development of the line, crosses of segregating families were made to inbred testers to evaluate combining ability. Inbred line NP 2010 can be reproduced by planting seeds of the line, growing the resulting corn plants under self-pollination or sib-pollination conditions with adequate isolation and then harvesting the resulting seed. No variant traits have been observed or are expected in NP 2010. 
     The inbred line has been evaluated at numerous research stations across the United States and Canada. Inbred line NP 2010 has shown uniformity and stability for all discernible characteristics as described in the following variety description. The description is based on data collected primarily at St. Joseph, IL and Phillips, NE on a maximum of 4 replications in 1995. In interpreting the color designations herein, reference is made to the Munsell Glossy Book of Color, a standard color reference to describe all color choices. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 VARIETY DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                 INFORMATION FOR INBRED LINE NP 2010 and M017 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 NP 2010 
                 Mo17 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Type: 
                 Dent 
                 Dent 
               
               
                 Region Best Adapted: 
                 North central 
                 Northern and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Central 
               
             
          
           
               
                 A. 
                 Maturity: 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 HU to Silk (HUS): 
                 1498 (72 days) 
                 1615 (76 days) 
               
               
                   
                 HU to pollen: 
                 1372 (67 days) 
                 1474 (71 days) 
               
               
                   
                 HU of pollen shed: 
                 83.5 (3.25 days) 
                 168 (6 days) 
               
               
                   
                 Plant Characteristics: 
               
               
                   
                 Plant height (to tassel tip) (cm): 
                 206.5 
                 203 
               
               
                   
                 Length of the internode between 
                 13 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 the ear node and the node above 
               
               
                   
                 (cm): 
               
               
                   
                 Plant height (to top ear node): 
                 55.75 
                 77.5 
               
               
                   
                 Number of tillers: 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Number of ears per stalk: 
                 1.25 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Cytoplasm type: 
                 Normal 
                 Normal 
               
               
                   
                 Anthocyanin of brace roots: 
                 Moderate 
                 Faint 
               
               
                 C. 
                 Leaf: 
               
               
                   
                 Color of second leaf above the 
                 Green-yellow 
                 Green-yellow 
               
               
                   
                 ear (at anthesis) 
                 (5GY 4/6) 
                 (5G 4/5) 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf angle (from 2nd leaf above 
                 25° 
                 25° 
               
               
                   
                 ear at anthesis to stalk above 
               
               
                   
                 leaf) 
               
               
                   
                 Number of leaves- above top ear 
                 5.85 
                 5.2 
               
               
                   
                 node, (mature plants): 
               
               
                   
                 Marginal waves: 
                 4 
                 3.8 
               
               
                   
                 (Scale: 1 = none to 9 = many): 
               
               
                   
                 Width (widest point of top ear 
                 7.23 
                 9.4 
               
               
                   
                 node leaf) (cm): 
               
               
                   
                 Sheath Pubescence: 
                 3.5 
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
                 (Scale 0 = none to 9 = many): 
               
               
                   
                 Longitudinal creases: 
                 3 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 (Scale: 1 = none to 9 = heavy): 
               
               
                   
                 Length (ear node leaf) (cm): 
                 73.85 
                 69.2 
               
               
                 D. 
                 Tassel: 
               
               
                   
                 Number of primary lateral 
                 2.4 
                 5.4 
               
               
                   
                 branches: 
               
               
                   
                 Branch angle of secondary 
                 42.5° 
                 32.5° 
               
               
                   
                 primary lateral branch at 
               
               
                   
                 anthesis: 
               
               
                   
                 Anther color: 
                 Red 
                 Green-yellow 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (2.5GY 8/8) 
                 (5Y 8/6) 
               
               
                   
                 Glume color: 
                 Green-yellow 
                 Green-yellow 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (5R 4/6) 
                 (5GY 6/6) 
               
               
                   
                 Bar glumes: 
                 Absent 
                 Absent 
               
               
                   
                 Tassel length (from top leaf 
                 47.85 
                 46.2 
               
               
                   
                 collar to tassel tip): 
               
               
                 E. 
                 Ear (Husked ear data 
               
               
                   
                 except where stated otherwise): 
               
               
                   
                 Length (cm): 
                 12.75 
                 18 
               
               
                   
                 Weight (gm): 
                 95.8 
                 107 
               
               
                   
                 Midpoint diameter (mm): 
                 43.05 
                 35.6 
               
               
                   
                 No. Of kernel rows: 
                 15.6, distinct 
                 10.6, distinct 
               
               
                   
                 Row alignment, (1. Straight, 
                 1.3 
                 Straight 
               
               
                   
                 2. Slightly curved, 3. Spiral): 
               
               
                   
                 Silk color (3 days after 
                 Red 
                 Green-Yellow 
               
               
                   
                 emergence): 
                 (5R 5/6) 
                 (2.5GY 8/8) 
               
               
                   
                 Husk extension, (1. Short, ear 
                 2.5 
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
                 exposed) 2. Medium 8 cm, 
               
               
                   
                 3. Long 8-10 cm 
               
               
                   
                 4. Very long 10 cm): 
               
               
                   
                 Taper of ear: 
                 Average 
                 Average 
               
               
                   
                 Husk color (fresh) 
                 Green-yellow 
                 Green-yellow 
               
               
                   
                 25 days after 50% silking: 
                 (5 GY 7/8) 
                 (5 GY 7/8) 
               
               
                   
                 Husk color (dry) 
                 Yellow 
                 Yellow 
               
               
                   
                 65 days after 50% silking: 
                 (5Y 8/6) 
                 (5Y 8/6) 
               
               
                   
                 Shank length (cm): 
                 4.5 
                 5.0 
               
               
                 F. 
                 kernel (Dried): 
               
               
                   
                 Size (from ear mid-point): 
               
               
                   
                 Length (mm): 
                 10.75 
                 10.25 
               
               
                   
                 Width (mm): 
                 6.75 
                 8.0 
               
               
                   
                 Thickness (mm): 
                 4.0 
                 4.75 
               
               
                   
                 Shape grade (% rounds): 
                 19.5 
                 54.0 
               
               
                   
                 Aleurone color: 
                 Homozygous 
                 Homozygous 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Yellow 
                 Yellow 
               
               
                   
                 Endosperm color: 
                 Yellow-orange 
                 Yellow-orange 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (7.5YR 7/10) 
                 (7.5YR 6/10) 
               
               
                   
                 Endosperm type: 
                 Normal starch 
                 Normal starch 
               
               
                   
                 Gm weight/100 seeds (unsized): 
                 20.4 
                 23.25 
               
               
                 G. 
                 Cob: 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter at mid-point (mm): 
                 27.3 
                 20.7 
               
               
                   
                 Color: 
                 Red 
                 Red 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (10R 3/6) 
               
               
                 H. 
                 Agronomic Traits: 
               
               
                   
                 Stay Green, 65 days after 
                 5.5 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 anthesis Scale 1 = excellent to 
               
               
                   
                 9 = worst): 
               
               
                 I. 
                 Disease Resistance: 
               
               
                   
                 Northern leaf blight: 
                 4 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Exserohilum turcicum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 Grey leaf spot: 
                 3 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                   Cercospora zea - maydis   
               
               
                   
                 Southern leaf blight: 
                 4 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Bipolaris maydis: 
                 
               
               
                 J. 
                 Insect Resistance: 
               
               
                   
                 European Corn 
               
               
                   
                 Borer ( Ostrinia nubilialis ) 
               
               
                   
                 1st generation: 
                 5 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 2nd generation: 
                 4 
                 5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The above disease and insect resistance description is based on a scale of 1-9; wherein 1 is considered highly resistant, 2-3 resistant, 4-5 moderate resistant, 6-7 moderately susceptible and 8-9 highly susceptible. 
     With respect to publicly available inbred lines, NP 2010 most closely resembles Mo17. However, these lines differ in a number of characteristics. The lines differ in ear length, ear height, number of kernal rows and number of tassel branches. While NP 2010 has more kernal rows than Mo17, it has lower ear height, shorter ear length and few primary lateral branches compared to Mo17. Other characteristics between NP 2010 and Mo17 are summarized in Table 1. 
     With respect to proprietary Northrup King inbred lines, NP 2010 most closely resembles J8606 and may be distinguished from J8606 by numerous characteristics including some of the characteristics listed in Table 2 below. NP 2010 may also be distinguished from NP899, another related proprietary inbred line (U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,181). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 1994 Variety Comparison Data 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 European Corn Borer Damage 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ear Ht. (cm) 
                 1st Generation 
                 2nd Generation 
                 Stay Green 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 NP 2010 
                 70 
                 4.3 
                 3.3 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 NP 899 
                 89 
                 3.3 
                 6.6 
                 8.0 
               
               
                 J8606 
                 81 
                 2.8 
                 4.8 
                 5.7 
               
               
                 # reps 
                 10 
                 4 
                 4 
                 6 
               
               
                 LSD (.05) 
                 12 
                 2.1 
                 3.7 
                 1.9 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Data taken at Webster City, IA; Napoleon, OH; Phillips, NE; Washington, IA; and St. Joseph, IL.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can also be examined. There are many techniques available for the analysis, comparison and characterization of plant genotype and these include isozyme electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLPs), randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). While many of the techniques are used RFLPs have the advantage of revealing an exceptionally high degree of allelic variation in corn. Moreover there are a tremendous number of markers available to use. Reference is made to Mumm and Dudley, A Classification of 148 U.S. Maize Inbreds: I Cluster Analysis based on RFLP&#39;s, Crop Sci., 34:842-851 (1994) and Lee, M “Inbred Lines of Maize and Their Molecular Markers” The Maize Handbook (Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc. 1994 which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Both inbred lines NP 2010 and Mo17 were subject to a various RFLP probes and the results indicate that the two inbreds have 52 out of 105 loci with different alleles. Additionally, RFLP relationship data indicate that NP 2010 is distinguished from other closely related inbred lines. NP 2010 and J8606 have 26 out of 105 loci with different alleles; and NP 2010 and NP 899 have 52 out of 88 loci with different alleles. 
     This invention is also directed to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant, wherein the first or second corn plant is a corn plant of the inbred line NP 2010. While NP 2010 has been best used as a male parent both female and male parent plants can come from the inbred corn line NP 2010. Therefore any methods using NP 2010 are part of this invention including self-pollination, backcross-pollination, hybrid breeding and crosses to populations. It may be desirable to use a male-sterile (either cytoplasmic or nuclear) female parent to prevent self-pollination. If the female is not male-sterile, then either physical or chemical steps may be taken to ensure that self-pollination does not occur. Additionally, inbred line NP 2010 can be used in crosses with another corn line which has been genetically engineered to comprise one or more foreign genes. A foreign gene is a heterologous gene derived from a species other than corn and which may be constructed by methods known in the art. These genes may include for example, insecticidal coding regions and/or herbicidal, viral, and fungal resistance coding regions. In additional a genetic construct including the gene may also comprise various promoters, terminators and other regulatory or enhancing nucleotide sequences that promote or enhance the function and expression of the foreign gene. Any plants produced using inbred corn line NP 2010 as a parent are within the scope of this invention including any plant produced by the use of cells, protoplasts or tissue from NP 2010. 
     Specifically NP 2010 produces hybrids that are competitive yielding. In general, hybrids have high test weight grain, good stalk quality, Grey Leaf Spot (GLS) resistance, and good Late Season Intactness (INTL). 
     The techniques used to obtain the corn hybrid seeds and plants of this invention are conventional in the seed industry and are well known to those skilled in the art. The two parent lines are planted in pollinating proximity to each other in alternating sets of rows; however, any convenient planting pattern that allows for the free transfer of pollen is acceptable. The plants of both inbred lines are allowed to grow until the time of flowering. At flowering, tassels are removed from all plants of the female parent by hand, machine or other means. Natural cross-pollination is allowed to occur. Ears from the female plants are harvested to obtain novel F 1  hybrid corn seeds of the present invention. F 1  hybrid corn plants of the invention are obtained by planting seeds harvested from the female plant. 
     A 118 Minnesota Relative Maturity single cross hybrid has been produced using NP2010 as a male parent. This hybrid (Hybrid NP 2010) most closely resembles the commercially available Northrup King Co. hybrid N7707. Hybrid NP 2010 has significantly yielded more than N7707 and is significantly better for GLS resistance and INTL. Table 3 below illustrates various characteristics of Hybrid NP 2010 compared to other similar hybrids. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Combined Location and Year Performance Data 
               
               
                 (1994, 1995; 55 environments; 115-125 RM Markets) 
               
               
                 in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennyslvania, and Missouri 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 YLD 
                 MST 
                 STK (BR) 
                 RT 
                 DE 
                 SILK 
                 Plt Ht 
                 Ear Ht. 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Hybrid 
                 (bu/a) 
                 % 
                 % 
                 % 
                 # 
                 HU 
                 cm 
                 cm 
                 GLS 
                 INTL 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 NP 2010 
                 172 
                 21.1 
                 4 
                 1 
                 4 
                 1396 
                 311 
                 113 
                 4.0 
                 4.4 
               
               
                 N7590 
                 166 
                 20.3 
                 9 
                 2 
                 13 
                 1397 
                 297 
                 117 
                 6.6 
                 5.6 
               
               
                 N7707 
                 166 
                 21.8 
                 4 
                 1 
                 4 
                 1412 
                 294 
                 109 
                 5.2 
                 5.4 
               
               
                 Pioneer 3394 
                 163 
                 18.8 
                 6 
                 1 
                 7 
                 1411 
                 286 
                 119 
                 7.1 
                 4.9 
               
               
                 Trials with data: 
                 55 
                 5.5 
                 42 
                 34 
                 32 
                 6 
                 8 
                 8 
                 11 
                 31 
               
               
                 LSD (0.5) 
                 6 
                 0.4 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 27 
                 9 
                 7 
                 0.8 
                 0.5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GLS = Grey Leaf Spot, resistance description is based on a scale of 1-9; wherein a rating of 1 = best resistance and 9 = most susceptible.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As used herein the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures including that from which corn plants fertile or otherwise can be regenerated, plant calli and plant cell clumps, and differentiated forms of plants such as, but not limited to embryos, pollen, stamen, anthers, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, stalks, roots, shoots, plantlets, silks and kernels. In this context, the invention also includes a corn plant regenerated from any NP 2010 corn cell, protoplast and tissue mentioned above and having the same genotype as NP 2010. 
     Methods of cell and tissue culture and regeneration are well known in the art and described for example in “Plant Tissue Culture Manual: Fundamentals and Application”, Ed. K. Lindsey, Kluwer (1991) and in Green and Rhodes, “Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize”, Maize for Biological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va., 1982, pp. 367-372), which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     As is well known corn can be put to a wide variety of uses not only as livestock feed but also for human consumption of corn kernels and as a raw material in industry. Both grain and non-grain portions of the plant are used as a livestock feed for swine, cattle and poultry. In the food industry corn is used in wet and dry milling. In wet milling there is the separation of the germ, hull gluten and starch. Germ is used to produce corn oil and germ cake for feed. Corn starch may be packaged for human consumption or used in food products such as sauces, gravies, puddings, sweeteners, syrups, and baking powder. Other nonedible uses include textiles, paper, adhesives, cosmetics, explosives, corn binders, laundry purposes and agricultural formulations. Dry milling is used to produce breakfast foods, grits, cornmeal and corn flour. Other uses of corn include fuel, in the form of fuel alcohol or ethanol; seed; alcoholic beverages and construction. 
     DEPOSIT INFORMATION 
     Deposits of at least 2500 seeds of inbred NP 2010, has been made unrestrictedly available to the public via the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852 USA. The deposit corresponds to ATCC Deposit No. 209657, and was made on Mar.11, 1998. The seeds are from stock maintained by Northrup King since prior to filing this application or any parents thereof. The deposit of inbred corn line NP 2010 will be maintained in the ATCC depository, which is a public depositary, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever, is longer, and will be replaced if it ever becomes nonviable during that period. Additionally, with respect to Plant Variety Protection Certificates received and applied for, Applicant does not waive any infringement of its rights granted under this patent or under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2312 et seq.).