Evaluation of gene effects in the grain yield and kernel oil content in maize (Zea mays l.)

Abstract

Selection of the best breeding technique for the development of new maize hybrids is based on knowledge of gene effects type responsible for the expression of quantitative traits. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate gene effects on the grain yield, as the most important agronomic trait, as well as for kernel oil content. one of the major characteristics of maize quality. Genetic material used for the determination of gene effects consisted of four inbred lines: 1109/1V NS, 56811 NS, 922 NS and A-l. Inbred line 1109/1V NS is high oil inbred line, and 568/11 NS, 922 NS A-1 are lines with a different type of seed: dent, semi-dent and flint, respectively. Six basic generations were produced: parental inbred lines (Pi, Pa), first and second filial generations (Fy, F2) and backcross generations (BC), BC2). Two years experiment was performed at the experimental field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia (Rimski Sangevi) using a completely randomized design with eight replicates. Evaluation of gene effects was performed by generation mean analysis. Obtained results indicated that dominant gene effect had a higher influence than additive in inheritance of the grain yield. The significant presence of duplicate type of epistasis was recorded in all test-cross combinations. For kernel oil content dominance was more important than additive gene action for almost all studied test-crosses. Additive gene effect was higher than dominance only for hybrid 1109/IV NS = 56811 NS. Morcover, a significant presence of duplicate type of cpistasis also was detected for kernel oil content. The significant role of the dominant gene effect in the inheritance of grain vield and kernel oil content in almost all test-cross combinations indicates that inbreding-hybridization method is a useful method for the development of better hybrids.