Genetic parameters and yield potential of polyembryonic maize genotypes

Abstract

In the context of the mutants, polyembryony in maize (PEm) has agronomic potential; therefore, the inclusion of the PEm in new varieties may be useful when considering the ascending demand for food. The objective of this study was to develop new genotypes with high productivity potential, superior to in local area, and useful for family and extensive agriculture. In this work, single crosses were carried out between three pure lines and the high frequency polyembryonic populations. The resulting F1 were advanced to the third generation (G3) and the genotypes obtained from this last generation were used as progenitors of a mating plan, according to the Griffing method 4. The resulting crosses were evaluated in a yield test measuring common characteristics of economic importance (Days to Male Flowering (MF), Plant Height (PH), Cob Height (CH), Fusarium Rotten cobs, Cobs (CFUS), Yield (YLD), and analyzed with the computer routine DIALLEL-SAS05. The results allowed to indicate that both the source of variation Genotypes as additive effects (GCA) presented significance for all variables, while non-additive (SCA) were significant only in the variables of cob sanity (p≤0.01) and productivity (p≤0.05). In this regard, most of the variables showed a greater contribution of the effects of General Combining Ability (GCA) compared to Specific Combining Ability (SCA). In addition, it was observed that the crosses were superior in all the variables evaluated with respect to BAP and NAP, and statistically similar in some cases with respect to hybrids. This means that this type of segregant polyembryony crosses can compete with other materials evaluated in the region. The estimation of GCA and SCA generated information on the potential of the studied parents and their crosses and are worthy of being taken into account in the formation of varieties.