Reciprocal differences for forage traits in single and three-way crosses of maize.
1995
Seitz G. | Melchinger A.E. | Geiger H.H. | Singh I.S.
Eleven flint inbreds of maize were crossed with 11 dent inbreds according to a balanced incomplete factorial mating design to produce 66 single crosses (2W) in both reciprocal forms. Additionally, six threeway crosses (3W) were also produced in both reciprocal forms. These hybrids were evaluated for 11 forage yield and quality traits in 1983 and 1984 at three sites in Germany. Highly significant reciprocal differences were observed for nine traits in the 2W. The respective variance component estimates amounted to 2-33% of the variance component due to crosses. On average, flint x dent 2W had lower dry-matter content (DMC) than dent x flint 2W and a 1% greater dry-matter yield (DMY) of forage. Three-way crosses produced on singles exhibited greater DMC (3%) and DMY (5%) of the ear, metabolizable energy content (MEC) of stover (1%), and DMC and DMY of forage (2%) than their reciprocal forms produced on lines. Based on this study, because of their minor importance, routine testing for reciprocal differences among 2W hybrids is not recommended.
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