EFFECT OF FAMILY SELECTION ON FLOWERING AND YIELD COMPONENTS IN MAIZE

Abstract

In this paper, it is analyzed how much the flowering of a maize (Zea mays L.) composite changed through seven selection cycles. The work was realizad in 1987 at Calera, Zacatecas. The composite Cal. 74 and its seven inter and intrafamilial selection cicles were evaluated under irrigation and drought conditions; when the precocity was considerated as criterion of selection, no change
was observed; number of grains per ear was positively modified with the selection and influenced on yield; the grain weight showed a opposite tendency to the number of grains per ear. The selection cycles derived from Comp. Cal. 74, showed better behavior than original both under irrigation and drought conditions, particullary in last condition, which is characteristic of the region where
the work was carried out.