Combining Ability Analysis of Ear Characteristics of Sweet Corn Hybrids Suitable for Organic Crop Production

Abstract

Good knowledge of genetic merits governing the inheritance of economic traits is of paramount importance to plant breeders for crop improvement. Objectives of the study were to investigate the genetic nature of ear traits in sweet corn (Zea mays convar. saccharata var. rugosa) based on the general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) analysis, and to determine the breeding potential of eight promising inbred lines for the development of new hybrid cultivars well suited for organic production. Thirty-six genotypes (hybrid families) derived from a half diallel cross design were grown under organic crop management at three agro-ecological zones of the tropics. Although the genotypes varied significantly for all the observed ear traits, some of them showed clear inconsistencies in performing husked ear size (length, diameter, and weight), kernel row number, and kernel number per row across environments. The combining ability analysis showed that additive gene action was more preponderance than non-additive gene actions in governing the inheritance of the studied ear traits. The inbred lines: Caps 5, Caps 17A, Caps 17B, and Caps 22 showed their potential as good partners for the improvement of ear performances as to the development of superior sweet corn cultivars for organic production.

Integrated Corn Cultivation Technology Based on Morphology, Drone Imaging, and Participatory Plant Breeding

“…Therefore, it is a clear indication that the corn intensification concept needs further effective development and improvement. In general, the development of production intensification is possible through two approaches, namely, environmental management and genetic engineering (Chozin and Sudjatmiko, 2019;Abduh et al, 2021). Simultaneous improvement and development of the two approaches can be an effective solution to increase corn yield in Indonesia.…”

Analysis of Some Biometric Parameters in the Characterization of Corn Ear

“…A good knowledge of the genetic basis that governs economic traits is important for corn breeding programs and processes (Chozin and Sudjatmiko, 2019). The authors studied different sweet corn genotypes, in tropical agroecological conditions, in order to obtain varieties for ecological production.…”