Sources and donors of the multi-row ear trait for hybrid breeding of corn in the VIR collection

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The sign of the number of rows of grains on the cob is one of the key to improving the productivity of corn. The effects of the genes that control this trait have been poorly studied. The search for sources and donors of this trait is relevant for hybrid breeding. AIM: The aim of this study is to search for sources and donors of the multi-row ear trait in the VIR collection for involvement in the breeding of hybrid corn. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The studies were carried out on 16 lines (S3–6) with different inbredness and varying the number of rows of grains on an ear from 18 to 36, the exotic 8-row race CUZCO characterized by large grains and the MP-20 population with 20–36 rows of ears. Hybridization and crop recording were carried out in the field conditions of the foothill zone of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. RESULTS: Based on similar phenotypic characteristics, 16 lines of corn with a multi-row cob were ranked into 5 groups. Analysis of the structure of the ear of the experimental F1 hybrid between the MP-20 population and the 8-row, large-grain race CUZCO showed that the trait of multi-row ear and large-grain is manifested as incomplete dominance. The yield potential of the experimental simple hybrid was no less than 12.2 tons per 1 hectare with a harvest grain moisture content of 37% and an FAO ripeness group of at least 600. A significant drawback of corn lines with multi-row cobs is the high harvest moisture content of the grain. CONCLUSIONS: The collection of multirow maize lines serves as a valuable source of genes that control important quantitative traits and can be involved in the breeding of hybrid maize for its improvement.