Abstract

BERNINI, Cristiani Santos  and  PATERNIANI, Maria Elisa Ayres Guidetti Zagatto. Parameters estimates of heterosis in hybrid maize F₂ populations. Pesqui. Agropecu. Trop. [online]. 2012, vol.42, n.1, pp. 56-62. ISSN 1983-4063.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1983-40632012000100008.

Hybrids developed with the efficient use of heterosis contribute significantly for increasing maize yield. This study aimed to evaluate F₂ hybrid populations, concernings agronomic traits, and estimate genetic parameters of F₂ populations, as well as heterosis, by using the Gardner & Eberhart method. Higher estimates of F₂ populations effect, for grain mass, were noticed in the Pop.9, Pop.11, Pop.14, and Pop.15, being considered suitable for intrapopulational recurrent selection programs and for obtaining superior lines. The Pop.10 and Pop.16 distinguished themselves by presenting the higher effects of parental heterosis, for grain mass. The Pop.12 x Pop.10 and Pop.13 x Pop.10 hybrids showed high yield and specific heterosis effects, revealing the existence of dominant locus in the genetic control of grain mass.

Keywords : Zea mays L.; intervarietal hybrid; complete diallel.