The present work was based on the evaluation of full sib and S1 progenies from the maize (Zea mays L.) population ESALQ-PB1 after six cycles of divergent selection for tassel size. The following traits were analyzed: plant height , ear height, tassel branch number, tassel length, and tassel weight. For all traits, the experimental units were means of three plants per plot. Progenies were evaluated in eleven experiments (completely randomized blocks) with three replications in Piracicaba -- SP, Brazil. Means of inbred (m1) and non-inbred (m0) progenies were used to estimate inbreeding depression (I = m1 -- m0) and the contribution of homozygotes (mu0 + a*) and heterozygotes (d*) to the population mean. Considering the five traits under study, inbreeding depression varied from 1.9 to 15.9% but significance for that effect was detected only for plant height. Plant traits exhibited higher depression than tassel traits; and tassel branch number seems to be more sensitive to inbreeding than the other two tassel traits. Except for plant height, it was apparent that inbreeding depression was higher in the subpopulation negatively selected for tassel size (T--). Estimates of A = mu0 + a* and d* indicate a smaller effect of dominance deviations for all traits, as compared to the contribution of homozygotes. Significant variability among progenies was detected in most instances.
inbreeding depression; divergent selection; tassel characters
