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Observed and Expected Response in Four Selection Experiments in Maize 1
Author(s) -
Moll R. H.,
Robinson H. F.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1966.0011183x000600040005x
Subject(s) - purebred , selection (genetic algorithm) , crossbreed , biology , tassel , trait , heterosis , diallel cross , reciprocal , population , hybrid , microbiology and biotechnology , zea mays , agronomy , zoology , demography , linguistics , philosophy , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , programming language
Full‐sib family selection is being conducted in three populations of maize; viz. a hybrid population derived from a cross of inbred lines and two populations which are open‐pollinated varieties. Reciprocal recurrent selection is being conducted in the crossbred of the varieties. The results of the first several cycles of selection are compared with expectations based on estimates of variances. There is good agreement between observed and expected selection response of the primary trait, yield, in three of the four experiments. Number of ears per plant showed a reasonably consistent increase associated with selection for high yield. Correlated responses of two other traits, ear height and days to tassel, were less consistent and generally in poor agreement with expectation. Reciprocal recurrent selection for crossbred performance and full‐sib family selection for purebred performance were compared in their effectiveness for improving both purebred and crossbred performance. After 3 cycles of selection, it appears that full‐sib family selection was at least as effective as reciprocal recurrent selection in improving crossbred performance.