Description of corn cultivar: "Los Banos Lagkitan"- Philippine glutinous composite 2 and improved "Macapuno"

Los Banos Lagkitan (Zea mays) also known as Philippine Glutinous Composite 2, was originally developed by the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Banos and was approved for release in 1976 by the Philippine Seed Board (PSB), now known as the National Seed Industry (NSIC). Los Banos Lagkitan contains the mutant waxy gene (WX), which is responsible for the glutinous character and has ivory-white kernels. This composite is composed of crosses among native glutinous varieties, high yielding Mexican flint varieties and the Los Banos-bred downy mildew resistant varieties. Recurrent selection was used to obtain higher yield, moderate resistance to downy mildew, improved plant type and excellent eating quality. Yield of marketable green corn ears ranged from 6.5 to 8.5 tons per hectare. Four evaluation trials in 4 seasons (2 wet and 2 dry) was conducted in 4 locations namely: University of the Philippines Los Banos, La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Ilagan Isabela and Manalo Fortich Bukidnon. This early maturing composite variety silks in 49 days and is harvested within 70 to 75 days after planting. Average plant height is 224 cm and an ear height of 105 cm. Data from biochemical laboratory analysis reveal that newly harvested kernels have 5% amylose content on a fresh weight basis, (normal corn has less than 5%) and 12% protein on a dry basis, thus giving it superior eating quality. Improved "Macapuno" (Zea mays), on the other hand, was developed by the Corn Breeding Group, Cereals Division, Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB). College of Agriculture (CA), University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) 4031, College, Laguna, and was approved for release by the NSIC in 1991. Macapuno, like Lagkitan also has a glutinous character due to the WX, and has ivory white colored kernel grains. It is an improvement through half sib recurrent selection of a native glutinous corn variety called Macapuno collected from Batangas. Ears of this variety are short and cone-shaped. Grain filling is up to the tip of the ear hence the term "Macapuno", which means full. It also has a tight husk and light yellow colored tassel. This improved variety silks in 44 days and matures early at 70 days after planting. It has a fresh ear yield of 6.26 tons/ha. Average plant height and ear height recorded are 207 cm and 102 cm, respectively. Due to its adaptability and excellent agronomic performance, the use of Macapuno fits well into cropping systems which involve planting of early maturing crops. Furthermore, it is less sticky when boiled, and is therefore less messy. Its price per ear is higher than that of field corn and it can be harvested earlier which makes it a very good cash crop. Lagkitan and Macapuno breeder seeds are maintained by the Cereals Division, IPB, CA, UPLB, and 52 kernel packets will be distributed upon request. Appropriate recognition of the original seed sources of these glutinous open pollinated varieties (OPVs) is required of all recipients of the seed if used to develop a new population,parental line, or hybrid