Inheritance of yeild and agronomic traits in waxy corn

Abstract

A knowledge of an expression of the genes controlling desirable traits is needed for an appropriate breeding strategy for crop improvement. The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of various genes on yield and agronomic traits in the cross KN-209 x KN-241 of waxy corn. Populations were composed of six generations (parents, F1, F2, F1BC1 and F1BC2). These populations were tested at the Vegetable Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University from November 2006 to March 2007. A Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications was used. Data were collected, including yield and agronomic traits. Data were analyzed with a generation means analysis. The results showed that dominant gene effects were predominant in determining the expression of these traits which was accounted for 63-99 % of the total genetic variability except for the number of tassel branches and silking date. These results suggested that a selection for yield and agronomic traits in this cross should start in subsequent generations.