ZYGOTHIC SELECTION TO DEVELOP CORN HYBRIDS WITH TWO AND THREE LINES

Abstract

The traditional agriculture is changing towards a mechanized agriculture with non limited use of inputs, thus demmanding maize (Zea. mays L.) varieties that fit well to them. Single and three-way crosses, more productive and uniform, could be a good choice. The zygote selection method of Hallauer was used in order to develop hybrids for the State of Jalisco, México. In this study, plants of two F₂ populations B-806 and a single cross of Pioneer, were selfed and crossed to a cormiom tester. Results showed crosses that yielded more than the average of commercial checks, and some of them even overyielded the best check in several locations. However, the scope of these results was limited because the tester and one of its l ines were susceptible to stalk rots. Then,with a good election of the tester, which may be a line or a single cross, the method is recommended to develop single or three-way crosses of maize.