GENETIC ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL COMPONENTS IN SINGLE CROSSES OF WHITE-KERNEL MAIZE

Abstract

In order to define the best breeding method to improve a population, it is essential to know its genetic parameters and the genetic variation that exists in it. The objective of this study was to identify genetic effects and possible maternal effects acting on some nutritive and bioactive components of maize kernel (Zea mays L.) in single crosses formed from five S₆-S₈ inbred lines. The crosses were developed for production systems under irrigation and were evaluated in Montecillo, Texcoco, State of Mexico during the Spring- Summer 2014 production cycle. The genetic analysis of total content of oil, protein, starch, ash, and phytic acid was carried out on the F₁ kernels from the crosses and kernels of the parents. The results showed greater variation for the specific combining ability (SCA) than for general combining ability (GCA) in each of the nutritional components. On average, SCA and GCA represented 53 and 12 %, respectively, of the variation between genotypes, hence the non-additive genetic effects (dominance and epistasis) prevailed over the additive ones (GCA) in the genotypes evaluated. Maternal and reciprocal effects showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) for all traits, except for starch content. The performance of the parents and their crosses was determined to direct the efficient use of the evaluated traits. Some crosses were better than their parents in the content of biochemical components; nevertheless, it is necessary to consider the direction of the crossing, given the significant maternal effects found in the components of the kernel.