Evaluation of inbred lines as sources of new alleles for improving elite maize hybrid

Abstract

Choice of an appropriate donor of alleles for use in reselection programs of existing inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) is crucial to the success of such programs. Well-adapted local inbred lines might be used as donors to improve a target genotype. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate Serbian maize inbred lines as donors of favorable alleles for improvement of a single cross hybrid and (ii) estimate Dudley's relationship values to determine which inbred parent should be improved. Evaluation of four donor lines as sources of new favorable alleles for the yield of grain yield not present in the elite hybrid parent line was conducted, (Dudley, 1987a; 1987b). Each of the potential donors had significant values of the parameter mu G, so they can be used as the sources of new alleles in the improvement of elite hybrid A654 x Fu4 yield. The greatest number of favorable new alleles for the improvement of grain yield of hybrid A654 x Fu4 was recorded in inbred line ZPLB368. The improvement of yield in hybrid A654 x Fu4 would be conducted by improving inbred parent Fu4, since all donor lines showed higher genetic parentage with this parent than with A654. The best way for developing initial population is self-fertilization of F-1 generation (P-w x Fu4), which would allow greatest probability for obtaining new lines (improved Fu4).