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Inheritance of Tassel Branch Number in Maize 1
Author(s) -
Mock J. J.,
Schuetz S. H.
Publication year - 1974
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/cropsci1974.0011183x001400060033x
Subject(s) - tassel , biology , heritability , zea mays , dominance (genetics) , genetics , botany , agronomy , gene
We studied the inheritance of tassel branch number in maize ( Zea mays L.) by analyzing data collected from five generations (P 1 , P 2 , F 1 , F 2 , and F 3 ) of a cross involving two inbred lines that differed significantly for tassel branch number. Estimates of genetic effects and genetic variance components were obtained from generation mean analyses and expectations for generation variances, respectively. Our data indicated that: 1) tassel branch number was quantitatively inherited (minimum of eight genetic factors involved), 2) high tassel branch number was dominant to low tassel branch number (data from crosses involving other parental inbreds showed the expression of dominance was genotype dependent), 3) no reciprocal effects were detectable, 4) additive gene action was most important, but dominant gene action should be evaluated carefully in future studies, and 5) heritability estimates were high, suggesting selection for tassel branch number should be possible.