Heterotic relationships among European maize inbreds

European flint maize (Zea mays L.)cannot be considered an uniform group of germplasm based on its origin and area of adaptation. However, maize breeders have not taken full advantage of the variability within the European flint germplasm. The objective of this work was to study the heterotic relationships among European maize inbreds from different origins. Nine European flint inbreds were crossed in a diallel that was evaluated in three environments in northwestern Spain. The variability within the European flint germplasm and the agronomic value of some inbreds could be utilized for maize breeding programs as an alternative to the systematic introduction of U.S. dent germplasm that is narrowing the germplasm base of breeding programs even in places where it is poorly adapted. Some European flint inbreds may also be valuable sources of earliness (F7 and EP42), resistance to root lodging (EA1070), and yield (EP42).These results suggest that, within the European flint germplasm, there could be some heterotic patterns, such as ‘north-central Europe × southern Europe’, which could provide an alternative to the heterotic pattern ‘European flint × U.S. dent’. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mass selection for kernel depth in early maize

Summary Effectiveness of mass selection for kernel depth in an early maize (Zea mays L.) synthetic, i.e. NDSAB, was evaluated in eight North Dakato environments. Four cycles of selection for deeper kernels were evaluated for grain yield and associated traits by using corresponding randomly selected subpopulations of NDSAB to adjust out inbreeding effects on selected subpopulations. General combining ability (GCA) effects of selected subpopulations also were evaluated for these traits.Subpopulations selected from one to four cycles for deep kernels were reciprocally crossed to corresponding randomly selected subpopulations in a factorial mating design. Subpopulations, selfed subpopulations, and subpopulation crosses were evaluated for yield and associated traits. Subpopulations selected for deep kernels generally had deeper kernels, higher yields, heavier kernels, more kernel rows per ear, and lower test weights than corresponding randomly selected subpopulations. Differences in GCA effects among selected and unselected subpopulations generally corresponded to differences between selected and unselected parental subpopulations. Inbreeding effects from selfing were observed for all traits, but no average heterosis was detected when subpopulation crosses were compared to parental subpopulations. Reciprocal differences were observed for all traits except kernel depth, but these differences were inconsistent relative to whether deep kerneled females made superior hybrids to unselected females.Results supported the use of mass selection for kernel depth as a means of grain yield improvement in the short term for NDSAB. However, negative associations of kernel depth with test weight may restrict long term use of this procedure.Journal Article No. 1505 of the North Dakota Agric. Exp. Stn., Fargo     

Evaluation of environments for preliminary testing of maize for yield and stover digestibility

Summary The identification of environments suitable for selection should enable plant breeders to test reliably a larger number of genotypes with given resources. This research was undertaken to evaluate discrimination ability (DA) and prediction ability (PA) of eight environments involving two locations. Eckartsweier (Eck) 1 and Voelkenrode (Voe); 2 yer. 1984 (84) and 1985 (85); and two harvests, silage harvest (I) and later (II). It was based on dry matter yield of plant (PDMY), ear (EDMY) and stover (SDMY) and on in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) of stover of 12 inbred lines and their 66 diallel crosses in maize (Zea mays L.). Linear regression coefficient of the performance of genotypes in an environment on that averaged across all environments and its degree of determination were used as measures of the DA and PA of environments, respectively. In hybrids, the DA of environments differed significantly for all traits except SDMY and ADL. Environment Eck851 showed better PA (0.63) than other environments for PDMY, EDMY, IVDOM, NDF, and ADF. Among the 12 two-environment combinations. EckI was a better predictor for PDMY, EDMY, IVDOM and NDF (PA0.80). The more productive environments showed better DA and PA for PDMY and FDMY than less productive ones. For IVDOM and NDF the first harvest provided better discrimination and prediction than the second harvest. In inbred lines the DA of environments differed significantly for EDMY only. In the present study, PA and DA seemed to be functions of the environments, PA was improved by combining two environments, and some environments seemed to be suitable for preliminary selection of genotypes for such diverse traits as yield and digestibility.     

Stability and genetic improvement of maize yield in Argentina

Summary Yield stability and the genetic improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield in the humid pampas of Argentina were evaluated.Stability parameters were computed for 15 varieties grown in 35 environments. To analyze genetic improvement of grain yield, data were obtained from trials grown in four locations and twelve years. Two locations represented the typical maize area, while the remaining two were considered marginal. Simple correlation and linear regression coefficients were computed to study the relationships between yield, stability parameters, number of days to 50% tassel emergence, and year of release. Genetic improvement of grain yield was analyzed from linear regression of the average yield of the three highest-yielding varieties (as percentage of the average yield of five common checks) on year of trial.Yield differed significantly among varieties. Significant variety x environment (linear) interaction was also detected. Significant linear relationships were found between regression coefficient for yield (stability parameter 1) and days to tassel emergence, stability parameter 1 and yield, year of release and days to tassel emergence, and year of release and stability parameter 1. Thus, newer maize varieties tended to flower later and had greater responsiveness to favorable environments than did older varieties. Yields have increased for both the typical and marginal areas, with average yearly increases of 114 and 182 kg/ha, respectively.Breeding programs with nurseries located in the typical maize area have raised yield potential in both areas studied. However, if present trends continue, future releases could prove inadequate in low-yielding or short season environments.     

Heterosis for leaf photosynthesis,grain yield and yield components in maize

Summary One of the primary avenues of improving the biological efficiency of crop plants is through the improvement of the leaf and canopy photosynthetic rates. However, the question whether the superiority of hybrids in respect of productivity potential could be traced, in retrospective fashion, to the photosynthetic parameters should be answered first. Once established and standardized, such indices could be streamlined in innovative breeding to predict the heterotic combinations for final yield formation. To answer this question, the photosynthetic rate and other components of photosynthetic efficiency were monitored among eight inbred stocks of maize (selected for variable photosynthetic rate from a previous study) and their all possible one-way crosses. The results demonstrated extensive heterosis in respect of photosynthetic rate and other photosynthetic indices which, in turn, was also realized in terms of higher biomass productivity and yield. Nonetheless, high leaf photosynthesis alone did not result in higher grain yield. On the contrary, component interaction among the photosynthetic indices like photosynthetic rate, leaf area/plant, number of leaves and chlorophyll content on one hand and the complementary gene action on the other, could be held responsible for higher yields in hybrids. Since the components of photosynthetic efficiency can predict heterosis for biomass and grain yield upto a reasonable extent, judicious incorporation of such indices in selection parameters for applied genetic protocols can add yet another dimension to the strategies for future yield improvements.     

Diallel study of open-pollinated maize varieties in Trinidad

Summary In Trinidad, maize (Zea mays L.) is primarily harvested in the immature stage as green ears for human consumption. The purchase of popular imported hybrid seed has become a substantial component of the economic inputs of maize production. The objectives of this study were to investigate combining abilities and heterotic patterns among available open-pollinated varieties and to assess correlations among five important traits: time to silking, plant height, grain yield, ear size, and marketable ears per hectare. General combining ability was significant for all traits. Specific combining ability was significant for all traits except ear size. Three intervarietal crosses showed moderate levels of heterosis (10–27%), and several yielded similarly to the control hybrids, Pioneer X304 and Pioneer 3078. The cross Acid Soil Tolerant 1991 SA-3 X ICTA Farm Corn was selected as the most suitable base population for mass selection. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations among the five traits studied were all positive and significant. Populations which flowered early were shorter and yielded less than the late flowering and taller populations and population crosses included in this study.     

Selection of sites for preliminary maize yield trials in the rainforest zone of South-Western Nigeria

Summary Grain-yield data obtained from 49 varieties of maize (Zea mays L.), grown at each of five sites for two years, were analyzed with the objective of identifying two or three sites where mean performance adequately predicted the mean performance of all five sites combined. Regression of overall varietal mean on site or site-combination means was done and the predictive potential of a site or combination of sites was judged by four criteria: (i) r²0.9, (ii) b1.0, (iii) high yield (i.e., yield greater than or equal to overall mean yield) and (iv) consistent yield (i.e., yield did not fall below the mean yield by more than 10%). In addition, a trial differentiation index, D, was used to compare the site combinations selected on the basis of the above criteria with the differentiation potential of all five sites combined. None of the five individual sites and the ten two-site combinations satisfactorily predicted overall mean yield. However, five three-sites combinations had values of D similar to that of all the five sites. Rank-correlation coefficients of the three-site combinations with all five sites ranged from 0.90 to 0.79. It was concluded that certain three-site combinations could be satisfactorily used for preliminary maize yield trials in the rainforest ecological zone of S.W. Nigeria.     

Phenotypic correlations between maize inbreds and their single cross hybrids in short season areas

Summary This study was conducted to determine the relationships among various agronomic traits in inbreds, hybrids and between inbreds and their progeny of maize in short season areas. Phenotypic correlations of each measured trait between as well as among hybrids and inbreds were not the same. The highest correlation coefficient (r=0.78) was obtained between days to anthesis and yield. The high yielding inbreds did not necessarily give rise to high yielding progeny. Given that days to anthesis plays an important role in two major traits (yield and moisture) for hybrids, an emphasis on optimum anthesis dates during inbred development could be a useful criterion for the prediction of hybrid performance in short season areas.     

Relationship between genetic markers and morphological traits in a maize inbred lines collection

Summary Genetic markers (isozymes), in addition to the traits recommended by the UPOV convention, have been used in France since 1989 to characterize the maize inbred lines submitted to registration. In the years 1989. 1990 and 1991, a total of 974 inbreds has been described according to this procedure. Relationships between genetic markers were investigated and underlined the occurrence of linkage disequilibria within the tested germplasm. These disequilibria appeared to depend strongly on the breeding history of the germplasm. In some cases, these disequilibria could be related to a major progenitor (foundation effect). Relationships between genetic markers and quantitative traits were also pointed out. High coefficients of determination (up to 60%) were in some cases observed at the within group level, and also appeared to be very dependent on the major progenitors of the group of interest. The consequences of these results for breeding and distinctiveness studies are discussed.     

Breeding for yield and nutritive value in forage maize: An easy criterion for stover quality,and genetic analysis of Lancaster variety

Summary The maize populations BS13 (S2) C4 and Lancaster are compared with respect to their potential as forage maize. In light of the preliminary results, the Lancaster population was chosen for a more thorough study.The determination of NDF gave a sufficiently precise estimate of the stover digestibility within our experimental conditions. The heritability of stover and grain production was 0.59 and 0.30, respectively, whilst that of the stover NDF was 0.32.The additive genetic correlation between NDF and stover production, possibly attributable to the architecture of the plant, favours the selection of genotypes that produce more and better forage.     

Ontogenetic analysis of yield components and yield stability of durum wheat in water-limited environments

Summary One main reason for the slow improvement of durum wheat in water-limited environments is the lack of clear understanding of the interrelationships among yield components and their compensatory changes under low and erratic moisture availability. Five cultivars, varying in many physiological attributes, were tested under different drought-stress conditions in field and greenhouse experiments. The cause-effect relationships of duration of vegetative period, duration of grain-filling period, number of spikes per m², kernels per spike, kernel weight and grain yield per m² were assessed. Furthermore, yield stability was evaluated. Yield reduction was largest under mid-season stress (58%), followed by terminal stress (30%) and early stress (22%). Cultivar Po was very sensitive to terminal stress.Path-coefficient analysis revealed a complex pattern of relationships among the six variables. An increase in vegetative period reduced the grain-filling period under all conditions. It increased number of kernels per spike under non-stress conditions. The direct effect of spikes per m² on grain yield was significantly positive. However, more spikes per m² resulted in fewer kernels per spike and a low kernel weight and, as a result, a negative relationship with grain yield under early stress. Grain-filling period had a strong influence on grain yield via kernel weight. Kernels per spike had the largest direct effect on grain yield. However, it was negatively correlated with kernel weight, especially under terminal stress. Grain yield heavily depended on kernels per spike under early stress and grain-filling period and kernels per spike under terminal stress.Variation in drought susceptibility index among cultivars was significant under early and terminal stress conditions, but not under mid-stress conditions. Yield potential and stability were not correlated for the different drought-stress conditions.Longer grain-filling period, increased number of kernels per spike and limited spike number per m² can be used as selection criteria for sustainable yield in water-limited environments.     

Genetic variation of the rate of leaf appearance in maize: Possible yield prediction at the early stage

Summary Evidence of genetic variation for early vigour is presented using maize line × tester crosses. The leaf appearance rate and associated variance components are affected by a physiological stress attributable to the transition to autotrophic nutrition by the plant. At this stage, specific combining ability plays an important role in the total genetic variation. It is concluded that differing genetic controls exist in early and late material, and that this difference is also manifested in leaf initiation and elongation rates. The ground coverage rate, as a component of plant development, is genetically correlated to total dry matter yield. The genetic correlations vary according to the growth stage.     

Indonesian mungbean landraces II. Comparison of performance,components of variance and selection for grain yield under wide row-spacing in monoculture and when intercropped with maize

Summary The possibility of testing mungbean for grain yield in monoculture in single wide-spaced row plots as an alternative to selection in intercropping with maize was investigated. Results indicated no significant genotype x planting pattern interactions and genetic correlation coefficients between grain yields in the two planting patterns were, in most cases, close to unity. It was concluded that, as far as the mungbean component in the mixture is concerned, yield selection in either of the two planting patterns is justified. Effects of single-plant and progeny selection on mungbean characteristics were also studied empirically. Lines derived from single-plant selection in monocropping or intercropping showed differences in yield, number of pods per plant and seed weight. Except for seed weight, no differential effects of progeny selection in monoculture or intercropping were observed for any characteristic.     

Assessing the genetic diversity of Portuguese maize germplasm using microsatellite markers

A collection of Portuguese maize accessions representing a valuable source of genes for introduction into modern cultivars is stored at the Portuguese Plant Germplasm Bank (Banco Português de Germoplasma Vegetal—BPGV). To assess genetic diversity among inbreds, microsatellite analysis was carried out for 54 inbred lines representing the diversity of Portuguese dent and flint maize germplasm. Fifty American and other European elite inbreds were also analysed for comparison. Fifteen microsatellite loci distributed throughout the maize genome were chosen based on their repeat unit and base composition. A total of 80 alleles were detected with an average allele number of 5.33 per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values and observed genetic distances showed the existence of large variability among inbreds. Cluster analysis indicated that almost all of the inbreds could be distinguished from each other and Portuguese inbreds were present in all clusters formed. These associations were consistent with the known pedigree records of the inbreds, confirming a mixed origin of Portuguese materials. Comparative analysis of microsatellite diversity among groups was established according to important traits for both breeding and line identification. This revealed that, although most of the genetic diversity (>95%) was attributable to differences among inbreds of different groups, the existence of phenotypic differentiation in endosperm colour, kernel type and cob colour could be suggested for grouping. These findings support the joint use of molecular and morphological traits in management of the germplasm collection. In this study, SSR markers proved to be effective to characterise and identify maize inbred lines, and demonstrate associations among them. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mapping QTLs in breeding for drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary Grain yield in the maize (Zea mays L) plant is sensitive to drought in the period three weeks either side of flowering. Maize is well-adapted to the use of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) to identify a tight linkage between gene(s) controlling the quantitative trait and a molecular marker. We have determined the chromosomal locations of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting grain yield under drought, anthesis-silking interval, and number of ears per plant. The F₃ families derived from the cross SD34(tolerant) × SD35 (intolerant) were evaluated for these traits in a two replicated experiment. RFLP analysis of the maize genome included non-radioactive DNA-DNA hybridization detection using chemiluminescence. To identify QTLs underlying tolerance to drought, the mean phenotypic performances of F₃ families were compared based on genotypic classification at each of 70 RFLP marker loci. The genetic linkage map assembled from these markers was in good agreement with previously published maps. The phenotypic correlations between yield and other traits were highly significant. In the combined analyses, genomic regions significantly affecting tolerance to drought were found on chromosomes 1,3,5,6, and 8. For yield, a total of 50% of the phenotypic variance could be explained by five putative QTLs. Different types of gene action were found for the putative QTLs for the three traits.     

Testcross performance of maize lines from backcross populations containing highland Mexican or highland Peruvian germplasm

Summary Backcross populations of maize (Zea mays L.) were produced by crossing the early maturing inbred line W153R with the highland Mexican race Cónico then backcrossing to W153R (Q1 population) and by crossing W153R with the highland Peruvian race San Gerónimo then backcrossing to W153R (Q3 population). The populations were recombined by one generation of random mating. Testcrosses were produced from S₀ plants in the original and recombined versions and these were evaluated in New Zealand for grain yield, grain moisture and other traits.Unexpected changes occurred during recombination for increased grain yield in the Q1 population and for decreased grain moisture in the Q3 population. This indicates strong, unplanned selection. Many testcrosses were higher yielding than check hybrids of W153R, but most were later maturing.S₁ lines selected for high grain yield and acceptable grain moisture in testcrosses were advanced to the S₂ generation and re-tested. All produced testcrosses with lower grain moisture than late maturing hybrid checks. Testcross grain yields of one Q1 line were equivalent to those of late maturing checks and its testcross had a lower grain moisture. The high yield potential of hybrids of this line was confirmed in the S₄ generation.     

Inheritance of photosynthesis in a diallel among eight maize inbred lines from Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic

Summary Photosynthesis is a trait that should be improved in a selection program for yield potential of maize (Zea mays L.). We measured leaf CO₂-exchange rate (CER), an estimate of photosynthetic efficiency, of a complete diallel (parents, F₁ crosses, and their reciprocals) among eight inbred lines (4 with low and 4 with high CER) from the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic maize population. Measurements were made during vegetative (CER 1) and grain filling (CER 2) stages of growth, and the experiment was conducted two years at one location. We measured large differences among crosses and significant heterosis for high CER at CER 1 (0.0 to 25.1%) and CER 2 (0.0 to 53.8%). Several crosses exhibited overdominant phenotypes for high CER at both growth stages, and one cross showed significant overdominance for low CER at CER 1. General combining ability effects (gca) were the largest components of among-cross variation at both CER 1 and CER 2. Specific combining ability (sca) also was significant at both growth stages, but gca effects were 9.4 and 4.8 times larger than sca effects at CER 1 and CER 2, respectively. Furthermore, high CER lines showed positive gca effects, and low CER lines showed negative gca effects at each stage. Maternal and reciprocal effects were not significant; thus, CER in these crosses was controlled largely by additive effects of nuclear genes. A high positive genotypic correlation (r=0.74) between CER 1 and CER 2 suggested that selection at either growth stage would improve CER throughout the growing season.Journal Paper No. J-9023 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1990.     

Six years of maize selection in ‘Kitale synthetic II’, ‘Ecuador 573’, and ‘kitale composite a’ using methods of the comprehensive breeding system

Summary Evaluation of the results of six years of selection in the Kitale maize breeding methods study proved reciprocal recurrent selection to be an effective interpopulation improvement method. Ear-to-row selection was effective in improving Kitale Composite A (KCA). Data from a diallel of the cycle-6 ear-to-row substrains showed that where less than 10 lines were selected, inbreeding appeared to depress gain, but differences among the various ear-to-row experiments were not significant. Intererossing the substrains was predicted to reduce the effect of inbreeding. Yield gains in reciprocal recurrent selection and ear-to-row selection were associated with increases in ears per 100 plants. The reciprocal recurrent selection variety cross yield gain was estimated at 3.5% per year (7%/cycle) and that of the best ear-to-row procedure at 2.6% per year. The variety cross syn-2 from reciprocal recurrent selection was predicted to improve at the same rate as the best ear-to-row procedure (E7) with one long growing season per year. Under a cropping system with two similar seasons per year, however, ear-to-row selection should be more effective than reciprocal recurrent selection or its derived syn-2. Mass selection at 10% selection intensity produced significant improvement, but not at 2% selection intensity.S₁ and three half-sib selection methods were ineffective in KCA. Inbreeding and the lack of linkage equilibrium in KCA were discussed as contributing. Theoretical substrain compositing required 30 to 40 lines selected to equal the effectiveness of ear-to-row selection with 10 lines. Full-sib selection was effective in improving yield at 1.2% per year. All the recurrent selection methods showed a significant increase in ears per 100 plants. Population size was shown to be important in reducing losses due to inbreeding.If a hybrid or variety cross is potentially useable, reciprocal recurrent selection provides the best population approach. Initially, the variety cross syn-2 could be released with no additional breeding effort. Transition to variety crosses or traditional hybrids from extracted lines could be done as farmer husbandry improves and seed production facilities develop. Otherwise, open-pollinated varieties superior to existing maizes can be effectively developed using ear-to-row selection. The other methods may be effective in breeding populations when larger effective population sizes are used, but they were not effective in KCA when only 10 lines were recombined each cycle.Contribution from the East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization of the East African Community, the U.S. Agency for International Development (Project 618-11-110-657, East African Food Crop Research), the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture, and the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.     

The impact of genotype x soil texture interaction on the efficiency of selection for yield in maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary This study was undertaken to investigate the implications of genotype x soil texture interaction on response to selection in maize. Mass honeycomb selection for yield was applied for 11 cycles from the F₂ of the single cross maize hybrid F68×NE2 in a field B with silty-clay-loam soil texture. Response to selection compared to the original single cross hybrid was estimated both in absence of competition and under solid stand in the selection field B and in a nearby field A differing in soil texture (clay-loam).A strong crossover type of interaction occurred both under solid stand and in the absence of competition in the two tests the improved population outyielded the hybrid in field B in the two densities, but lagged behing the hybrid in field A. The results suggest that interaction between genotype and soil texture might affect efficiency of selection detrimentally unless provision is taken for parallel selection early in the crop improvement program in fields differing in soil texture.     

Hybrid reconstruction in maize

Summary The production of seed of the maize single cross hybrid F68^*NE2 is uneconomic because of the low grain yield of the maternal line. Therefore the aim was to produce it from newly developed inbred lines obtained by reshuffling the genes in the hybrid, accompanied by selection. Thus in open pollinating generations derived from this hybrid, i.e. in C0, C1, C2, C3 and C4, honeycomb selection for grain yield improvement was applied. Selfing of one ear and open pollination of another ear of selected prolific C4 plants yielded 20 pairs of S1/half sib progenies. Plants grown from remnant S1 seed corresponding to superior progeny pairs were selfed. In each S2-line a single plant was selected and selfed. The S3-lines were evaluated for yield. Two S3-lines, i.e. 6D and 2B, attracted attention because they yielded two and a half times as much as the best commercial inbred line B73.The S1-and S2-lines were tested for combining ability with the related inbred lines NE2 and F68 by means of honeycomb design experiments and for combining ability with unrelated, freely available inbred lines by means of randomized complete block designs. Two S2-lines, i.e. 5C and 6E, were selected for their good combining ability. The six single cross hybrids produced by crossing the four S3-lines 6D, 2B, 5C, and 6E were compared with the original hybrid F68^*NE2 in a honeycomb design at two sites. The grain yields of the single cross hybrids 6D^*6E and 5C^*6E were similar to that of F68^*NE2. However, these two reconstructed hybrids can be produced in a cheaper way because the new maternal inbred lines yield as good as B73 (line 5C) or much better (line 6D).