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Genetics of the timing of vegetative phase transition in a maize population
Author(s) -
Revilla P.,
Malvar R. A.,
Butrón A.,
Tracy W. F.,
Abedon B. G.,
Ordás A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
plant breeding
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.583
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1439-0523
pISSN - 0179-9541
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0523.2004.01044.x
Subject(s) - biology , heritability , zea mays , selection (genetic algorithm) , population , randomized block design , agronomy , quantitative genetics , mating design , pest analysis , yield (engineering) , genetic variation , botany , genetics , heterosis , demography , hybrid , gene , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , materials science , metallurgy
Variability for the timing of transition from juvenile to adult vegetative phases in maize (Zea mays L.) is assumed to be genetically regulated and has been associated with disease and pest tolerance. The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic variances of vegetative phase transition and its correlation with yield and its components. Full‐sib and half‐sib families were developed in a maize synthetic, following the Design I mating system. Progenies were evaluated in randomized complete block design with sets within replications in north‐western Spain for 2 years. Phase transition‐related traits showed significant additive variance, no interaction with environment and high heritability (above 65%). Correlation coefficients indicate that selection for delayed transition should not affect yield or its components. Therefore, selection for delaying phase transition could be used as a indirect selection, without expecting detrimental effects on yield.