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Commercial Utilization of the Products of Recurrent Selection for Specific Combining Ability in Maize 1
Author(s) -
Horner E. S.,
Chapman W. H.,
Lundy H. W.,
Lutrick M. C.
Publication year - 1972
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/cropsci1972.0011183x001200050015x
Subject(s) - biology , hybrid , zea mays , pollen , selection (genetic algorithm) , grain yield , agronomy , yield (engineering) , horticulture , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , computer science , artificial intelligence , materials science , metallurgy
Commercial maize ( Zea mays L.) hybrids can be generated rapidly from a program of recurrent selection for specific combining ability when the tester is a seed parent already in commercial use. The pollen parent can be an inbred line, a single cross, or a synthetic derived from lines selected in a given cycle. A study was made to compare the three types of parents listed above. Six lines, selected in the fifth cycle of selection for combining ability with the single cross F44 ✕ F6, were evaluated as pollen parents individually (three‐way crosses), in singlecross combinations (double crosses), and as a six‐line synthetic (top cross). These types of crosses averaged 48.7, 47.7, and 47.6 quintals/ha, respectively, at five locations over a 2‐year period. There was no statistically significant difference for average grain yield or lodging among types of hybrids nor between the top cross and any of the three‐way or double crosses. The top cross was as uniform for silking date and ear height as a single cross and a commercial double cross. Since a top cross of this type can be released more quickly and economically than a three‐way or double cross, we conclude that its use in commercial hybrids would be justified.