MAIZE YELLOW HETEROTIC PATTERN FOR THE CENTER-WEST REGION OF MÉXICO

Abstract

In México, the yellow maize demand is 12.6 million tons, whereas the national production is about 1.0 million tons, for this reason the remainder grain is imported. The outstanding yellow maize varieties available in the market have lower yield than the outstanding white maize varieties. The objectives of this research were: a) to evaluate
the INIFAP-Amarillo Dentado-1 and INIFAP-Amarillo Cristalino-1 populations and their intervarietal cross; b) to estimate the heterosis between the populations and to analyze the possibility of using it as heterotic pattern in yellow maize hybrids development; and c) to compare the grain yield potential of INIFAP-Amarillo Dentado-1 and
INIFAP-Amarillo Cristalino-1 against intervarietal yellow crosses and yellow and white maize commercial varieties. Populations INIFAPAmarillo Dentado-1 and INIFAP-Amarillo Cristalino-1 and their intervarietal cross were planted under rainfed conditions, in an uniform trial of tropical yellow populations and their crosses, and in
three uniform elite variety trials, all of them evaluated in the centerwest region of México. It was concluded that the intervarietal cross INIFAP-Amarillo Dentado-1 x INIFAP-Amarillo Cristalino-1 was the best option to be used as heterotic pattern in the yellow maize hybrids development for intermediate to late maturity, and Pob 28 C₁₀ could be an alternative source of germplasm. Base on the average of the parents, the average heterosis of the cross was 23.4 %, and 16.9 % considering the best parent.