Genetic analysis of maturity and flowering characteristics in maize (Zea mays L.)

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the pattern of inheritance and determine the relative magnitude of various genetic effects for maturity and flowering attributes in subtropical maize. METHODS: Four white grain maize inbred lines from flint group of corn, two with late maturity and two with early maturity, were used. These contrasting inbred lines were crossed to form four crosses. Six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) were developed for each individual cross. These were evaluated in triplicate trial for two consecutive years. RESULTS: Both dominance gene action and epistatic interaction played major role in governing inheritance of days to pollen shedding, 50% silking, anthesis silking interval and maturity. CONCLUSIONS: Preponderance of dominance gene action for these traits indicated their usefulness in hybrid programs of subtropical maize.