10.5937/ratpov51-5915 = The prediction of heterosis based on the phenotypic distance of sweet maize parental lines

Abstract

A relatively narrow genetic background, limited sources of germplasm that satisfies commercial standards, poorly defined heterotic groups, as well as a small span for yield and quality estimation are reasons for the modest improvement in sweet corn yields in comparison with standard grain quality maize. Therefore, any additional information could be of a great use. Based on the phenotypic characterization according to UPOV descriptor, phenotypic distances of 14 ZP sweet corn inbred lines were evaluated, and clustering was performed. Grouping showed that 9 out of 11 hybrids obtained by crossings of 14 sweet corn inbred lines had parental lines assigned to different subclusters. Two hybrids whose parental components belonged to the same subcluster had some important specific traits, such as early maturity (ZP 111su), and super-sweet germplasm (ZP 407su). Results obtained by this procedure could be of great assistance in the process of selecting parental lines for the future crossings.