Combining Ability of Two Degenerative Sweet Corn Mutants II

Abstract

Two degenerative sweet corn mutants, C30, a mutant of P39, ‘Pee Wee’ a mutant of C30 and P39 were crossed with sweet corn inbred C15 to determine their relative abilities to promote heterosis in hybrids. Of the 3 inbreds, C30 had the greatest ability to promote heterosis when in combination with C l5; ‘Pee Wee’ was least effective. Evidently, not all degenerative mutants are capable of promoting marked heterotic effects.

Molecular Variation and F1 Performance among Strains of the Sweet Corn Inbred P39

“…Variation was observed for ear weight, plant height, and ear height among the crosses, the highest yielding crosses involved C30. These results confirm previous results (Singleton, 1943; Lachman, 1972, 1974). Breeding experiments indicated that the differences in yield were due to a number of genetic factors (Singleton, 1948) Molecular data support this hypothesis.…”

“…In some cases, heterosis has been 1944, 1945Singleton and Nelson, 1945;Russell et al, observed in crosses between variants and the progenitor inbred. 1963;Lachman, 1971;Burr and Burr, 1981). Many of Causes of such variants and resulting heterosis are unclear.…”

“…strains were New P39, IP39, C30, P39M94, and P39M96. Each backcrossed to P39 and Lachman (1971Lachman ( , 1974 observed strain was selected from P39 on the basis of a heritable morhigh parent heterosis for plant height in the same cross. phological change.…”