ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DIALLELIC CROSSINGS WITH EARLY TROPICAL CORN GERMOPLASM

Abstract

In tropical areas, early maturity maize (Zea mays L.) varieties are potentially able for planting during
the dry season, making use of the residual moisture under different crop systems, as an alternative to escape
the drought occurring in the middle of the rainy season. A diallel crossing system among eight tropical early maize populations, was carried out to be evaluated, along with their parents, during the rainy season in
1984. The purpose of this study was to know the heterotic response and the gene action involved on grain
yield. Results indicated that some early varieties (PABG Precoz and Pool 15) have a varietal effect on their
progenies. Regarding heterotic values, most croases where NLVS-30 was involved, were among the best. The
highest values for specific heterosis were found for the croases Pool 15 x Zapalote Chico and V-424 x Comp.
Precoz c ₂. With respect to earliness, little variation was observed in the croases and in their parents, so they can be used in the proposed tropical regions.