Agronomic performance of experimental super sweet corn hybrids

Marcos V Faria,Emanuel Gava,Jocimar C Rosa,Welton L Zaluski,Nathany R Chiquito,Elida Ap Paiva

doi:10.1590/s0102-0536-20210211

Abstract

ABSTRACT Super sweet is classified as a special type of corn, due to the presence of genes which promote sugar accumulation in grains, significantly reducing starch content in the endosperm. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of experimental super sweet corn hybrids, carrying the gene shrunken-2, in order to identify and select promising genotypes for Southern Brazil. The experiments were carried out in two sowing seasons in 2017/18, in the experimental field of UNICENTRO, Guarapuava-PR, Brazil. Thirty-two experimental hybrids resulting from an 8x4 partial diallel among super sweet corn inbred lines from four distinct populations were evaluated along with two commercial hybrids (BRS Vivi and Tropical Plus) used as checks. Traits of agronomic and commercial interest were evaluated: male flowering (MF), husk covering index (HCI), yield of husked ears (YHE), grain yield (GY), commercial prolificacy (CPR), percentage of commercial ears (PCE), color (COL) and soluble solids (SS) of the grains. We verified significant differences among the experimental hybrids, except for COL. There was no significant effect of sowing season regarding to SS. Genotypes x seasons interaction was significant for YHE, GY, CPR, PCE and COL. There are promising experimental hybrids showing performances superior to commercial super sweet corn hybrids used in Brazil. The experimental hybrids D2-61 x D5-41 and D3-10 x D5-43 were superior to the other experimental genotypes. The experimental hybrid D2-61 x D5-41 shows potential to meet the demands of the current super sweet corn market.

Highlights

O milho super doce é classificado como um tipo especial de milho, por possuir genes que promovem o acúmulo de açúcar nos grãos, diminuindo significativamente o teor de amido no endosperma
Sweet and super sweet corn are classified as special corns, since they present in recessive homozygosis, at least one of the genes which block part of the conversion of sugar into starch, giving the sweet character to the grain (Ferreira, 2011)
Thirty two experimental hybrids were obtained from crosses among super sweet corn inbred lines, carrying the shrunken-2 gene, from four populations, in an 8x4 partial diallel scheme

Summary

Introduction

O milho super doce é classificado como um tipo especial de milho, por possuir genes que promovem o acúmulo de açúcar nos grãos, diminuindo significativamente o teor de amido no endosperma. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho agronômico de híbridos experimentais de milho super doce, portadores do gene shrunken-2 (sh2), para a identificação e seleção de híbridos promissores para a região sul do Brasil. Foram avaliados 32 híbridos experimentais resultantes de um dialelo parcial 8x4 entre linhagens de milho super doce, provenientes de quatro populações distintas, juntamente com dois híbridos comerciais (BRS Vivi e Tropical Plus) utilizados como testemunhas. Competitivos com híbridos comerciais utilizados no Brasil para a produção de milho super doce. Evaluation and selection of experimental hybrids of super sweet corn adapted to the South Region of Brazil is important, in order to spread and expand its cultivation throughout the national territory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of the experimental hybrids of super sweet corn, in order to identify and select promising hybrids for Guarapuava region, PR

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Results