Combining ability of popcorn lines for seed quality and agronomic traits

Abstract

Popcorn breeding programs in Brazil have emerged but despite some advances there is still a lack of material performance studies specially regard to seed quality, in different agricultural seasons. This research was carried out to estimate the popcorn combining ability from biparental crosses between eight tropical and one temperate lines in two agricultural seasons (2008 and 2009) with regard to eight traits related to seed quality, in addition to three agronomic traits related to popping expansion. Method 4, proposed by Griffing (Model 1), was used to verifying the importance of the dominance effect in the genetic control of the seed quality traits, favouring the identification of superior hybrids through seed tests in the laboratory with low cost. The lines from Zélia and CMS42 were promising in obtaining hybrids with superior seed quality and greater popping expansion. The hybrids Zélia 9 IAC-112, CMS42 9 UEM M2-1, CMS43-1 9 IAC-112 and UEM M2-2 9 Zaeli expressed superior SCA for grain yield, popping expansion and at least two seed quality traits. These hybrids are materials of interest for cultivation in different planting seasons.

Genetic effects on seed quality in diallel crosses of popcorn

“…However, the opposite effect was observed for SNS, DM and NPC, i.e., additive effects were predominant (Table 2). These results are consistent with Moterle et al (2012), who found that non-additive effects were more important for the genetic control of seed quality by using the GT and the MCV. Gomes et al (2000) evaluated the combining ability of field maize lines for kernel quality and showed that nonadditive effects were the most important for the GT and the MCV, which is consistent with the results found by Moterle et al (2012).…”

“…These results are consistent with Moterle et al (2012), who found that non-additive effects were more important for the genetic control of seed quality by using the GT and the MCV. Gomes et al (2000) evaluated the combining ability of field maize lines for kernel quality and showed that nonadditive effects were the most important for the GT and the MCV, which is consistent with the results found by Moterle et al (2012). However, these results are not consistent with those observed by Antuna et al (2003) and Ortiz et al (2006), who observed that additive genetic effects had a larger influence on the GT.…”

“…The effects of the GCA, SCA and RE were significant for all evaluated traits, which indicates that additive, non-additive and maternal effects are involved in the genetic control of these traits. Using diallel analysis in field maize lines to study seed quality, Moterle et al (2011) showed that GCA, SCA and RE significantly affect the germination test as well as the first count, the MCV and emergence in sand bed vigour tests. Moterle et al (2012) evaluated ten popcorn lines using a complete diallel cross without reciprocals and showed that GCA and SCA significantly affect all germination and vigour tests.…”

“…Therefore, studying their combining ability may yield valuable information because it will permit the best parents to be selected to create hybrids with higher seed quality based on their general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), in addition to the reciprocal effects (RE) (GRIFFING, 1956). Moterle et al (2012) studied combining ability with respect to seed quality in nine popcorn lines using a complete diallel cross without reciprocals and found significant GCA and SCA values in the germination, first count, accelerated aging, modified cold, electric conductivity, plant emergence in sand bed, emergence speed and emergence speed index tests. These authors also found that non-additive effects were more important than additive effects on genetic control of the physiological quality of popcorn seeds.…”

Ganho genético avaliado com índices de seleção e com REML/Blup em milho-pipoca

“…No entanto, sua área de plantio comercial é insuficiente para atender o mercado nacional (Moterle et al, 2011;Pena et al, 2012;Ribeiro et al, 2012;Vittorazzi et al, 2013).…”