YIELD POTENTIAL AND GENETIC VARIABILITY OF SEMIEXOTIC MAIZE POPULATIONS AS A BASIS FOR SELECTION

Abstract

In order to verify the genetic and agronomic value, yield potential and inbreeding depression of synthesized composites, as well as quantifying the population variability and incorporating new sources of semiexotic germplasm in maize genetic improvement programs, four populations, identified as NAP-FA x HG-71 (P1), NAP-FL x HG-49 (P2), NAP-FB x HG-49 (P3), and NAP-DB x HG-49 (P4), with two levels of inbreeding (S₀ and S₁), were evaluated in three locations. From the P1 and P4 populations, 100 full-sib progenies were evaluated in only one location. Plant and ear height, lodging, breakage, ear length and diameter, resistance to diseases, ears with chalky kernels and grain yield were evaluated. The grain yield of the S₀ and S₁ populations varied between 5.50 and 6.65 t ha^-1 and 3.8 and 4.58 t ha^-1, respectively, with an average inbreeding depression between 23.9% and 38.0%. Considering all the locations, the grain yields of the non-inbreeding populations varied between 64.4% and 78.0% in relation to commercial hybrids (witnesses), indicating a good yield potential for start of improvement program. In the P1 and P4 populations, sufficient genetic variability was identified in most of the characters, which accredits them for recurrent selection. Gains of 13.7% and 17.8% for grain yield and 31.64% and 29.9% for ears with chalky kernels were estimated.