Effects of pollen parent on grain quality and identifying inbreds useful in improving maize hybrids for grain quality traits
Letchworth, Michael Bradley
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/20451
Description
Title
Effects of pollen parent on grain quality and identifying inbreds useful in improving maize hybrids for grain quality traits
Author(s)
Letchworth, Michael Bradley
Issue Date
1996
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Lambert, Robert J.
Department of Study
Crop Sciences
Discipline
Crop Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Agriculture, Agronomy
Biology, Genetics
Language
eng
Abstract
Breeding maize (Zea mays L.) for improvements in kernel quality characteristics such as protein, oil, and starch concentrations adds value to the crop for specific end uses. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate maize hybrids for improvements in these traits.
In the first experiment, twelve maize hybrids were evaluated under both cross pollinated and self pollinated conditions to determine the effects of pollen parent on protein, oil and starch concentrations under small-plot research testing conditions. Data indicated a strong effect of the female parent on protein concentration and starch concentration and no significant change in hybrid rank for those traits across the two pollination treatments. Significant male and female effects were detected for oil concentration. Cross pollinated field evaluations separated maize genotypes for oil concentration due to female effects but accurate determinations of oil concentration could only be conducted under self pollinated conditions.
The second experiment utilized a method of identifying maize inbreds containing favorable alleles to improve hybrids for grain quality traits. Sixteen maize inbreds were used as sources of favorable alleles to improve three elite maize hybrids for increases in protein, oil and starch concentrations. The estimator c$\mu$B* was developed and identified inbreds useful in improving maize hybrids for protein concentration. The estimator $\mu$G* identified inbreds useful in improving hybrids for starch concentration but was not helpful in identifying inbreds with favorable alleles for oil concentration. This was due to the relatively low range of oil concentration values for the set of inbreds studied. Heterosis values indicated further evidence of dominance for low protein concentration and both high and low oil concentration, and new evidence indicated dominance for high starch concentration in the set of inbreds studied.
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