Contribution of the breeding methods used by Rudolf Fleischmann to the development of the Ruma maize heterosis source

Abstract

The gene pool of Rumai 122, probably derived from Korai Arany (Early Golden, a name suggesting origin from Livingstone’s Early Golden or Early Golden Mastodon), appears to have arisen from genetic mixing between one or more Southern Dent varieties, probably of the Gourdseed type, imported from the Corn Belt in the 1890s, and the local (improved) Korai Banati Flint (Early Banati Flint) variety (Caribbean type, Old Hungarian Yellow, 8–12-row flint) grown on the Ruma estate. Ruma varieties were grown on around half the maize-growing area in Hungary for 30 years (1925–1955), and enjoyed much the same popularity in Yugoslavia. The varieties bred from the mother plant Rumai 122 in Yugoslavia were Rumai Yellow Dent, Vukovar Yellow Dent and Bellyei Yellow Dent, while those bred in Hungary were “F” Early Yellow Dent and “F” Mczőhegyes Yellow Dent. (The latter was also popular in Yugoslavia under the name Novisadski Flajsman.) As the result of Fleischmann’s breeding methods, not only were varieties with high yield ...