Abstract
European flint x US dent is the most common heterotic pattern used in early maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs in Spain. Two synthetic maize populations, EZS1 (formed from four Spanish flint populations), and EZS2 (formed from four American dent populations), were developed in Zaragoza, Spain. These synthetics, which showed heterotic behaviour, were subjected to six cycles of S1 recurrent selection for increased grain yield and reduced lodging. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of selection on these and other agronomic traits in both synthetics. The original populations, EZS1C0 and EZS2C0, and the six cycles of selection of both, were evaluated at two locations over two years. Over the six selection cycles, the average yield of EZS1 and EZS2 increased by 0.82 Mg/ha and 0.93 Mg/ha per cycle respectively, while lodging decreased by 2.76% and 2.44% per cycle respectively. Changes due to selection were significant for all test traits in both synthetics. It was concluded that S1 selection is effective in improving the yield of, and reducing lodging in, both synthetics.
Highlights
Maize hybrid production involves the use of inbreds derived from distantly related groups of breeding materials, but which combine well and produce betterperforming progeny (Mumm and Dudley, 1994)
Most of the maize cultivars in Spain are hybrids based on this heterotic pattern (Moreno-González et al, 1997), the limited genetic diversity of which has been demonstrated by Smith (1989), at least for the hybrids grown
The aims of the present study were to evaluate the changes in the synthetic populations EZS1 and EZS2 after six cycles of S1 intrapopulation selection, and to analyse future breeding strategies for the continued improvement of both populations
Summary
Maize hybrid production involves the use of inbreds derived from distantly related groups of breeding materials, but which combine well and produce betterperforming progeny (Mumm and Dudley, 1994). Most maize hybrid seed in the USA is derived from the Corn. But only a small portion of its available variation is used (Goodman and Brown, 1988). Heterosis and heterotic pairings are of central interest in maize breeding (Hallauer, 1990). Ordás (1991) studied the heterotic relationship between Corn Belt dent populations and Spanish flint germplasm. Most of the maize cultivars in Spain are hybrids based on this heterotic pattern (Moreno-González et al, 1997), the limited genetic diversity of which has been demonstrated by Smith (1989), at least for the hybrids grown. It is desirable to expand the genetic base of European cultivated maize by introducing new germplasm
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