The use of teosinte in the improvement of corn inbreds
1950
The transfer of teosinte germplasm into Texas corn inbred 4R-3 apparently increased its tolerance to heat but did not change significantly its yielding ability in the hybrid combinations studied. Similar modification of Texas inbred 127C increased its yielding ability in hybrids, by differences that were highly significant. Whether the increased yielding ability is chiefly the result of increased tolerance to heat and drought is not fully understood, but it seems to be partly so at least. Inbred 4R-3, in its original form, is more similar to teosinte in many characters than is 127C. It may be postulated that original 4R-3 already has approximately the optimum assortment of teosinte genes for yielding ability in the hybrid combinations tested; whereas 127C may have teosinte genes added to advantage. The conclusion may be drawn that certain inbreds can be improved by the addition of teosinte genes, but possibly others cannot. It is suggested that, in general, inbreds showing the least similarity to teosinte may be modified to the best advantage.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]