Genetic analysis of sweet corn lines based on SH2 endosperm structure gene

One of the three genes of the endosperm structure is used in the selection of sweet corn; its recessive mutation sh2 activates the accumulation of sucrose in the structural complex of sugars and represses the starch synthesis. Hybrids of "super-sweet" corn have improved grain taste and slower conversion of sugars into starch. Therefore, it is important to use different genetic sources of breeding traits in the creation of a new linear material that meets the requirements of modern heterosis selection of sweet corn. The aim of the work was to study the lines of sweet corn and to identify among them new sources of selectively valuable economic features. A complex assessment of morphological characteristics and productivity of sweet corn lines was carried out. According to the results of study the main morpho-biological traits of sweet corn lines with the mutant sh2 gene, the sources of individual selection valuable peculiarities were identified. Lines SH-234 and SH-936 were marked as donors of plant growth. Lines SH-621, SH-234 and SH-936 were the best in terms of seed productivity of cobs. According to the growing season, all lines are divided into early (4 lines) and medium ripe (6 lines). The lines SH-234, SH-113 (number of grain rows) and SH-621 (number of seeds in a row) were the best in terms of productivity, and lines SH-318 and SH-936 – in terms of the cob length (14.45 cm and 13.26 cm, respectively). Only one line SH-477 had strongly wrinkled seeds. Thus, the studied sweet corn lines were characterized by high genotypic diversity; the SH-936 and SH-621 lines were the best in terms of the trait complex.