DETASSELING OF MATERNAL MAIZE HYBRIDS AND ITS EFFECT ON SEED PRODUCTION

Abstract

In order to know the detasseling effect in maize, an experiment was conducted with single crosses, parents of double crosses hybrids H-28, H-30, H-33 and H-32 and two detasseling treatments in a factorial arrangement 6 x 2, under a complete randomized
block design with three replications at the Mexico Valley Experimental Station (CEVAMEX) in 1989. The results showed highly statistical differences for all the variables studied for the genotype factor, and most of them for the detasseling factor. For the
genotype by detasseling interaction there was statistical significance only for ear height. The single crosses M15 x M16, M17 x M18, and M27 x M28 presented the highest total seed yield; it was also observed that the detasseling treatment increased total seed yield in 19.8% related to the control (no detasseling). The high yield peformance and big and medium seed size frecuency of M17 x M18, suggests use it, as a female progenitor of the double cross hybrids H-28, H-33 and H-137.