Comparison of testers in the selection of S3 families obtained from the UENF-14 variety of popcorn

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of topcross has proven to be an interesting option for the maize crop; however, for the popcorn, there is little information about the choice of the appropriate tester. In this context, this study aimed to analyze four testers including two open pollinated varieties(BRS Angela and UENF-14), one topcross hybrid (IAC125) and a line (P2), to evaluate the combining ability of 50 S3 families of popcorn, obtained from the UENF-14 variety. Popcorn families were evaluated for grain yield (GY) and popping expansion (PE). The estimates of general and specific combining abilities were obtained and the discrimination of each tester through differentiation index was carried out. The testers BRS Angela (for GY) and IAC 125 (for PE) were the most adequate, when combined with the best S3 families derived from UENF-14, for the production of popcorn hybrids for the Northern and Northwestern Fluminense Regions.