Comparison of two methods of reciprocal recurrent selection in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) was proposed for simultaneously improving two populations and their cross. A modification of the classical full-sib RRS (FS-RRS) was proposed in which the performance of full-sibs and S 2 families is combined in a selection index (FS-S 2 -RRS).The Mediterranean corn borer (MCB) is the main corn borer specie in the Mediterranean and adjacent areas and produces important yield losses. We started two RRS programs (FS-RRS and FS-S 2 -RRS) from the same maize population in which the selection criterion was grain yield under artificial infestation with MCB eggs. Original populations, two cycles of selection derived from them by both RRS methods, and population crosses were evaluated under MCB attack and under insecticide treatment in three different environments. The objective was to compare the efficiency of the FS-RRS and the FS-S 2 -RRS methods for improving grain yield. We found that the FS-S 2 -RRS method was successful for improving the yield of the population cross under optimum conditions (the regression coefficient over cycles was b=0.87** Mg ha -1 cycle -1 ) without losing yield under high pressure of MCB attack (b=0.07). On the contrary, FS-RRS failed to improve the yield of the population cross under optimum conditions (b=0.65), and tended to decrease the yield under high levels of MCB attack (b=-0.26). We conclude that for developing high yielding and stable varieties FS-S 2 -RRS is more efficient than the classical FS-RRS method.

Response to S1 recurrent selection for resistance to two stem borers, Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus, in two tropical maize populations

“…The days to anthesis and silking and plant height, plant and ear aspect marginally maintained the same values with the advancing cycles of selection. Similar findings have been reported from previous studies on maize (Ordas et al 2012(Ordas et al , 2013.…”

Five Cycles of Mass Selection for Earliness and Ear Appearance under Corn Borer Infestation in the Maize Synthetic BS17

“…The synthetic EPS12C3 was derived from EPS12, a composite of four Spanish populations adapted to dry environments by S 1 recurrent selection for improved corn borer resistance (Butrón et al, 2005; Sandoya et al, 2008). The two synthetics EPS20(FR)C2 and EPS21(FR)C2 were derived from synthetics EPS20 and EPS21 after two cycles of reciprocal recurrent selection for yield under infestation with MCB (Butrón et al, 2003, 2009; Malvar et al, 2010; Ordás et al, 2012). The hybrid B93 × EP77 combines the corn borer resistance of both parents with good grain yield (Butrón et al, 1999, 2006).…”

Estimates for Genetic Variance Components in Reciprocal Recurrent Selection in Populations Derived from Maize Single-Cross Hybrids

“…Since the RRS has been proposed, numerous studies in the literature have been designed to clarify particular aspects of this selection method, such as a suggestion for changes in the original method [4–6], comparisons between methods [7, 8], and evidence of the effectiveness of these methods in improving interpopulation crosses [9–13]. In many situations, there were reports that these interpopulation selection methods significantly increased the response in the interpopulation hybrid and in one of the populations, with an unsatisfactory or even negative response in the other population [14].…”