Diallel Analyses of Agronomic Traits Using Chinese and U.S. Maize Germplasm
2005
Glover, Max A. | Willmot, David B. | Darrah, Larry L. | Hibbard, Bruce E. | Zhu, Xiaoyang
Added genetic diversity among commercial maize (Zea mays L) hybrids may further increase yields and safeguard against vulnerability. Introducing exotic germplasm into breeding programs would increase the genetic base from which elite commercial inbreds are derived. Ten populations of maize, created from Chinese and/or U.S. inbreds or strains, were evaluated by Griffing's diallel analysis for combining ability of grain yield, stalk lodging, ear height, flowering time, and European corn borer (ECB; Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) resistance to estimate their potential as sources of exotic germplasm for U.S. breeding programs. Grain yield general combining ability was largest for the population Mo17 Syn.(H14)C5, a synthetic improved by half-sib selection using US13 as a tester. Grain yield specific combining ability was largest in the cross Chinese Mix 2 × Mo17 Syn.(H14)C5. Chinese Mix 2 × Mo17 Syn.(H14)C5 had more stalk lodging than the B73 × Mo17 and Pioneer Brand 3394 checks. Because of the high yield potential and other moderate-to-good agronomic traits of the cross combination, Chinese Mix 2 was selected as the best population for selection. Its large specific combining ability effect with Lancaster type material, which is commonly known in breeding programs, shows potential for further improvement. No native ECB resistance in Chinese germplasm was detected (two environments in 1 yr) compared with the resistant check Pioneer Brand 3184.
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