Analysis on Ear-kernel Characteristics of Maize RILs Population and Its Environmental Stability

Two hundred and fifty-eight RILs were developed from the cross between a dent corn inbred Dan232 and a popcorn inbred N04.Eight ear-kernel characters and their stability across different environments were ana-lyzed.Combined analysis of variance showed that the mean squares due to families,family ×replication interactions were all significant or highly significant for all characters.The mean squares due to environments were significant for ear length,ear diameter,ear weight,ear grain weight and 100-grain weight.Other than ear diameter and barren ear tip length,the mean squares due to family×environment interactions were all significant or highly significant for other traits.All traits showed continuous variations with a normal distribution and obvious segregation beyond the two par-ents.Correlation analysis showed that there were significant or highly significant correlations among most traits besides kernel rows per ear with ear length,and barren ear tip length with ear length,ear diameter,kernel rows per ear,ker-nels per rowand 100-grain weight.