Details for: PI 693398, Zea mays L. subsp. mays, M14

It was developed from a single cross (BR10 x R8) and was used in double cross hybrids in the 1930s and 1940s (Bob Lambert, 2011, personal communication)

Liu et al. 2003 (supplemental table S1: Pedigrees for Maize Inbreds) obtained three separate and conflicting pedigrees for M14 (a.k.a. Gn2; Don Duvick and Stan Jensen from Pioneer both indicated that Gn2 was derived from M14). (1) According to Bob Lambert at the University of Illinois (and Clarion Henderson of Illinois Foundation Seeds and Gerdes et.al., 1993), the pedigree is BR10 X R8, where BR10 is from Funk's Yellow Dent and R8 is from Texas Surecropper. (2) According to Tom Gocken at DeKalb, the pedigree is Lancaster X A, where A is a line from Funk's Yellow Dent. (3) According to records at Pioneer Hi-Bred, the pedigree is Lancaster X B21, where B21 is Fe2 X Steen 665. Ralph Hart of Moews Hybrids (Ben Moews developed M14 in the early 1930's) says that their existing records do not go back past 1966. Pioneer acquired Gn2 from Charlie Gunn of DeKalb Agricultural Research in 1935. DeKalb's records of it go back to 1932 (Tom Gocken, personal communication).

Another source states:"This line was developed in our corn breeding program and has been assigned a formal designation be cause it appears to have value in hybrid combination." Inbred Lines of Corn Released to Private Growers from State and Federal Agencies 4/18/60. Small kernel, 16-18 rows.

A description from Indiana in the Second Corn Improvement Conference Report of 1938 states: "Parent is BR10 X R8. It is from Ben Moews. It is early with fair pollen, short sturdy erect stalks with good roots. Ears are large with dark yellow smooth kernels.

The Fourth and Fifth Corn Improvement Conferences Report for 1940 and 1941 describes M14 at Illinois having dark green leaves, a stiff short stalk anad ears poorly covered. The poor ear trait is transmitted to crosses. Ears are low on the pang and ear shanks are long. Ear length is good and grain is of good quality. It combines will with WF9 and 187-2.