Genetic Analysis on Kernel Number per Row by Mixed Inheritance Model of Major Gene and Polygene in Maize

To improve the kernel number per row in maize,six generations(P1,P2,F1,B1,B2,F2) of PH6WC/7873(crossⅠ)and MX002/MS001(crossⅡ)were taken as materials to study the genetic rule of kernel number per row by using the joint segregation analysis of major gene plus polygene mixed inheritance model.The results showed that the kernel number per row was controlled by additive-dominance and dominance-epistasis polygene in crosseⅠ,while it was controlled by two additive major genes and additive-dominance polygene in crossⅡ.In crossⅠ,the heritability of polygene in B1,B2 and F2 generation was 75.13%,74.51% and 82.59%,respectively.In crosse Ⅱ,the heritability of polygene in B1,B2 and F2 generation was 73.50%,73.20% and 72.40% respectively,and the heritability of major gene was 6.40%,8.90% and 9.10% respectively.The kernel number per row was mainly controlled by polygene in the two crosses.The recurrent selection and polymerization backcross could be adopted to accumulate the minor genes for the genetic improvement of kernel number per row in maize.