Selection of S3 progenies of super sweet corn based on agronomic performance of topcrosses

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to select S3 progenies of super sweet corn based on agronomic performance, evaluated in topcrosses with the narrow genetic base tester Honey Sweeter (Seminis®). The experiment was carried out in Guarapuava-PR. We evaluated 22 topcross hybrids and three checks, in two sowing times, in randomized blocks design with three replications. Six traits were evaluated: total yield of husked ears, commercial yield of husked ears, grain yield, grain length, ear diameter and total soluble solids content. Considering the set of evaluated traits, the topcrosses with progenies D2-07, D3-28, D4-53 and D5-24 were superior to the others; therefore, these progenies should continue in the inbreeding process and be evaluated in crosses with elite inbred lines with potential to generate competitive super sweet corn single hybrids.

Selection of S3 progenies of forage maize based on topcrosses with different testers

Maize forage is commonly used as silage in milk and beef cattle livestock production systems. Despite the wide variety of maize hybrids with high potential for grain production, few available hybrids have been developed exclusively for forage aptitude. The present study aimed to select S3 maize progenies derived from the single hybrid AS1572 based on the combining ability of forage traits in topcrosses with testers AG8025, 70.H26.1, and MLP102. The 135 resulting topcross hybrids were assessed in partial diallel in Guarapuava and Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil. Were evaluated the contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF, %DM) and acid detergent fiber (ADF, %DM), forage dry matter yield (DMY, t ha-1), and in situ digestibility of forage dry matter (DIG, %DM). For all evaluated traits, the variability allowed us to select superior progenies. Progenies 3.1, 22.1, and 39.1stood out in terms of NDF, ADF, and DIG, whereas progenies 47.1, 73.1, 79.1, and 90.2 were efficient in increasing the forage dry matter yield. The testers AG8025 and 70.H26.1, of narrow genetic base, are the best to explore genetic variability among progenies.

Selection indexes in the simultaneous increment of yield components in topcross hybrids of green maize

The objective of this work was to define the most suitable selective strategy for the simultaneous increment of yield components of green maize, by comparing three selection indexes weighted by economic weights and by the REML/BLUP method, in the assessment of predicted genetic gains for traits of interest. An experiment with 75 topcross hybrids from partially inbred S1 lines of green maize was carried out in Jataí, in the state of Goiás, Brazil, using a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. The following yield traits were evaluated: straw ears and commercial ears, grain mass, ear length, ear diameter, and number of ear rows. The selection indexes of Smith and Hazel, Williams, and Mulamba & Mock were applied and weighted for four economic weights (1, CVg, CVg/CVe, and h2). Among the tested selection indexes, those of Williams and Mulamba & Mock are the best-fit ones for the selection of topcross hybrids of green maize, as they provide positive and more balanced selection gains for all evaluated traits. The REML/BLUP method shows better predicted genetic gains than those achieved by the three selection indexes, besides being efficient for the selection of topcross hybrids of green maize.

Heterosis and genetic distance in intervarietal corn hybrids

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of intervarietal corn (Zea mays) hybrids with topcross crosses between landrace populations, and to confirm whether genetic dissimilarity between populations is correlated with the heterosis of the intervarietal hybrids in the field. Nine topcross hybrids were evaluated with their tester 'BRS Planalto', and the following landrace populations were used as parents: Argentino Branco, Dente de Ouro, Amarelão, Criolão, Caiano Rajado, Branco Oito Carreiras, Branco Roxo Índio, Cateto Branco, and Argentino Amarelo. The tester 'BRS Planalto' and the topcross hybrids Branco Oito Carreiras x 'BRS Planalto' and Criolão x 'BRS Planalto' showed higher per se potential for grain yield. The topcross hybrid Branco Oito Carreiras x 'BRS Planalto' showed a better performance for number of grains per row, grain weight, and ear diameter, whereas Criolão x 'BRS Planalto' displayed a better performance for the number of grains per row and ear length. Greater estimates of genetic distance did not necessarily result in greater heterosis values and were exclusively correlated with grain ear length. Therefore, it is not possible to predict the effects of high heterosis on grain yield, based on the genetic distance between the populations involved in the crosses.

AVALIAÇÃO DE LINHAGENS S3 DE MILHO EM CRUZAMENTO TOPCROSS EM DOIS ESPAÇAMENTOS ENTRE LINHAS

RESUMO – A utilização de híbridos comerciais é uma opção para gerar populações-base para obter novas linhagens superiores. Portanto, objetivou-se com a pesquisa selecionar linhagens S3 superiores para produtividade de grãos, avaliadas em dois espaçamentos, para ser avançadas no processo de endogamia. Para isso, foram avaliados 75 híbridos topcrosses juntamente com seis híbridos comerciais (DKB245 PRO2, P30F53 H, P30B39 H, AS1572, DKB315 PRO e SG6030 PRO). Foi utilizado o delineamento látice triplo 9x9 para avaliação de florescimento masculino (FM), altura de planta (AP), altura de espiga (AE), prolificidade (PR) e produtividade de grãos (PG). Houve diferença significativa entre genótipos para todas as características avaliadas, interação genótipo x espaçamento para a PG e AE. Não foi constatada diferença significativa para espaçamento entre linhas. Os híbridos topcrosses TC102-05, TC102-06, TC102-15, TC102-16, TC102-17, TC102-21 e TC102-24 se destacaram nos dois espaçamentos entre linhas, aliando características de produtividade de grãos, estatura e ciclo precoce, cujas respectivas linhagens deverão ser avançadas no processo de endogamia.Palavras-chave: Zea mays L., testador, linhagens parcialmente endogâmicas. EVALUATION OF S3 MAIZE LINES TOPCROSSED IN TWO ROW SPACINGS ABSTRACT – The use of commercial hybrids is an option to generate base populations for obtaining new superior lines. The objective of this study was to select S3 lines superior for grain yield, evaluated in two row spacings, to be advanced in the process of inbreeding. For this, 75 topcross hybrids were evaluated along with six commercial hybrids (DKB245 PRO2, P30F53 H, P30B39 H, AS1572, DKB315 PRO and SG6030 PRO). The 9x9 triple lattice design was used.to evaluate the agronomic traits of male flowering (MF), plant height (PH), ear heigth (EH), prolificacy (PR) and grain yield (GY). There was a significant difference between genotype for all traits evaluated, interaction genotype x spacing for EH and GY. No significant difference was observed for line spacing. The topcross hybrids TC102- 05, TC102-06, TC102-15, TC102-16, TC102-17, TC102-21 and TC102-24 were superior in the two row spacings, combining the characters of grain yield, stature and early cycle, whose lines should be advanced in the process of endogamy.Keywords: Zea mays L., tester, partially inbred lines.

Dual-purpose landraces of pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum) as sources of high stover and grain yield for arid zone environments

Both stover and grain are important considerations in the adoption of the new pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cultivars in crop–livestock farming system in north-west India. Local landrace germplasm contains many of the traits needed to breed new cultivars, which met such requirements. We evaluated 169 pearl millet landraces to assess their potential for breeding new open-pollinated varieties, and measured heterosis in landrace testcrosses to evaluate their potential for topcross hybrids breeding. There were significant differences among landraces in their total biomass, grain yield and stover yield. A high accumulation of biomass, followed by its efficient partitioning, was crucial in determining grain productivity under arid zone. There was also no trade-off between stover and grain productivity and several landraces outperformed check cultivars in both grain and stover yields. The manifestation of heterosis in the landrace-based topcross hybrids varied for different traits. Significant heterosis for biomass, grain yield and stover yield was observed in specific male-sterile seed parent × landrace-based pollinator combinations. Utilization of landraces in variety development and topcross hybrids breeding programmes targeting north-western India or similar regions are discussed.