Diallel analysis of the combining ability of popcorn cultivars

Abstract

A study of six improved varieties of popcorn (‘Amarela’, ‘Roxa’, ‘Branca’, ‘Rosa-claro’, ‘Beija-flor’ and ‘Viçosa’), Zea mays L. (Poaceae), and their fifteen hybrids F1 was carried out in Viçosa, in the agricultural years of 90/91 and 91/92, and Visconde do Rio Branco, in 91/92. The traits evaluated were plant height, ear corn height, yield and popping expansion, in order to indicate the best strategies for joint improvement of all characters. The ‘Viçosa’ variety was indicated to be used in hybrids or inbred lines development in intra or interpopulation improvement methods. ‘Viçosa x Roxa’ hybrid showed best results when considering yield and popping expansion. The combinations ‘Viçosa’ with ‘Roxa’ and ‘Rosa-claro’ with ‘Beija-flor’ were recommended to begin reciprocal recurrent selection program, because they were complementary in relation to yield and popping expansion. In these programs, more attention must be given to popping expansion, because its seems to be the biggest problem in hybrids. The reciprocal effects were not important for any trait