Corn theory...or how to breed for an earlier harvest?

Ok, so a bit elementary, but I have a theory that might be true or it might not even matter.  

So, I know that everyone says to use the center section of kernels in a given cob for seed.  Logic says that those kernels are the most consistent in size for mechanical planters, so that's what we use right?  Well, if you are not using a planter, and have the ability to simply plant the seed by hand, why not use the bottom kernels as well?  I understand the tip kernels usually have bug damage or mold issues & are smaller, so we avoid them.  That makes sense to me.  As I was going through some of my cobs, it is very clear that some of those very bottom of the ear kernels are almost twice the size of the average center of the ear kernels.  

To me that sounds like more "stuff" the seed has to survive on in storage for potentially longer viability, or a stronger start upon sprouting.  Do larger corn seeds have a longer shelf life than smaller ones, or does it matter?

My real theory, now that I've said all that, is if ears of corn generally fill out from bottom of the ear to tip, couldn't you theoretically "edge" a given population toward earlier maturing over the course of decades by planting a select plot of bottom row only kernels, saved & replanted year after year?  I know we're talking maybe a few hours of advancement each year, but over time would this be possible?  

To visualize it a different way, imagine a mixed up stand of corn with 1,000 plants that all let their pollen fly within say a 20 day window on a typical year (just an example).  Now, as soon as you first see pollen releasing from any of the tassels, you go in & detassel the entire plot of 1,000 plants.  At this point, you've effectively only allowed the earliest of your population to reproduce seed.  Of course, this way you won't have a usable harvest, but do this year after year, & in 10 years, how much to the left has the scale of maturity slid?

For someone with the room to do so, it would be a neat experiment to try a bottom row only plot of seed with the same genetics as the middle of the ear standard "Control" group for a few years to see what happens.  

Anyone else have weird theories or experience to add?  

They say in Oaxaca that the kernels closest to the stem contain more defective traits, such as lack of chlorophyll.

To shorten the days to maturity on corn, I walk through the patch and harvest the first cobs to mature. They contain the most precocious mothers and pollen donors.

In my garden, the ecosystem shortened the days to maturity of my sweet corn by ten days, without intentional selection by me.

Harvesting the first cobs to mature sounds like the best practice here for sure, and you still get a full harvest.  

I know my examples were extreme, but I just wanted to explore some thoughts.  I've never heard of the defective trait drawback from the end kernels, but have heard the plants were weaker.  I guess that makes sense if they lack chlorophyl.  I do find it interesting that those kernels are avoided for planting seed selection in nearly every maize culture that I've read about from Appalachian, Cherokee, Hopi, Navajo, modern farmers, & now Oaxacan.

I know sometimes there are standard practices that have been done a certain way for so long that generations later, we don't know why we do it this way, just that it's always been done that way.  I think once every few generations, asking the question "Why?" isn't necessarily a bad thing.  

Thanks for the response Joseph.

Why not just take advantage of those shorter season varieties someone else has already bred for those traits?

Why not just take advantage of those shorter season varieties someone else has already bred for those traits?

Just entertaining an idea really, & in the process gleaning some experience from those that walked this path before me.  Sure, I could buy some seed from somewhere if that was my only goal, but where's the fun in that?  I'm having a blast gathering up all the rare corn seed I can find to "play" with.  Besides, I don't learn anything if I just buy a bag of cornmeal or a can of hominy from the store.  Arguably, that's a better use of my time, but my mind craves the knowledge of doing things for myself for the education & experience attained.