Screening of acid-tolerant hybrid Corn lines and parents using modified acid mineral soil

Abstract

Screening of hybrid corn parent lines quickly and cheaply compared to hydroponic methods in the laboratory is needed to support the assembly of new high yielding varieties of acid tolerant corn. Addition of CaCO3 as equivalent to 2 t/ha (normal soil), while 0.5 t/ha AlCl3 (acidic). A total of 12 elite maize lines were tested based on relative root growth (RRG). Four sets of experiments were made, namely 2 sets normal soil media (pH 6.5) and 2 sets acid soil media (pH 4.3). Experimental design used in each experimental set was a randomized block with three replications. Results showed that rapid screening of hybrid maize parental lines could be carried out using modified soil acidity method by adding CaCO3 and AlCl3 to acid soil by measuring relative root growth (RRG) as the main variable. Corn obtained by genotypes No.80, MAL03x192, and Bisi-18 were classified as tolerant, MAL03x28, MAL03x182, MAL03x42, MAL03x44, MAL03x107, MAL03x115 were classified as moderately tolerant, while MAL03x100, MAL03x56, classified as sensitive. Screening of hybrid parent lines on acid soil modified to pH 4.3 (acidic) and normal pH 6.5 at seedling age 7 days after planting (dap) was more accurate than at seedling age of maize 14 dap.