Summary
Four cycles of divergent full-sib recurrent selection for the ability to germinate at low temperature were conducted in a maize (Zea mays L.) F2 population. The selection criterion was the high (H) or the low (L) value in algebraic terms of the difference (DG) between germination percentage at 9.5°C (G9.5) detected 19 days after sowing and germination percentage at 25°C (G 25) seven days after sowing; both traits were evaluated in a controlled environment (germinator). Direct and correlated responses estimated during the course of selection were in accordance with those evaluated at the end. Selection for H led to populations with higher DG values, while the reverse was noted for L; differences between H and L populations increased in successive selection cycles, though divergence tended to level off. Selection for H also resulted in higher G 9.5 (day 19), shorter germination time and more flinty kernels, while selection for L led to responses in the opposite direction as well as to a lower G 9.5 detected 37 days after sowing (i.e. at the end of germination). In contrast, responses were negligible for G 25 and varied erratically from one cycle to another for kernel weight.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- DG:
-
(G 9.5–G 25)
- FS:
-
full sib
- GI:
-
germination index
- G 9.5:
-
germination percentage at 9.5°C
- G 25:
-
germination percentage at 25°C
- H:
-
high DG value in algebraic terms
- KT:
-
kernel type
- KW:
-
kernel weight
- L:
-
low DG value in algebraic terms
References
Blacklow W.M., 1972. Influence of temperature on germination and elongation of the radicle and shoot of corn (Zea mays L.). Crop Sci. 12: 647–650.
Bochicchio A., 1985. Zea mays L. and chilling conditions at sowing time: a review. Maydica 30: 241–256.
Bochicchio A., C. Vazzana, A. Raschi & F. Salamini, 1986. Effetto dello stadio di maturazione e dell'età del seme sulla germinazione e primo accrescimento a 20°C e in condizioni di cold test, per un ibrido di mais di larga diffusione in Italia. Riv. di Agron. 20: 395–405.
Eagles H.A. & A.K. Hardacre, 1979. Genetic variation in maize (Zea mays L.) for germination and emergence at 10°C. Euphytica 28: 287–295.
Eagles H.A. & I.R. Brooking, 1981. Populations of maize with more rapid and reliable seedling emergence than cornbelt dents at low temperatures. Euphytica 30: 755–763.
Eberhart S.A., 1964. Least squares method for comparing progress among recurrent selection methods. Crop Sci. 4: 230–231.
Falconer D.S., 1981. Introduction to quantitative genetics. Longman, London.
Grogan C.O., 1970. Genetic variability in maize (Zea mays L.) for germination and seedling vigor at low temperatures. Proc. Ann. Corn and Sorghum Res. Conf. 25: 90–98.
Haskell G. & W.R. Singleton, 1949. Use of controlled low temperature in evaluating the cold hardiness of inbred and hybrid maize. Agron. J. 41: 34–40.
Hill W.G., 1972. Estimation of realized heritabilities from selection experiments. II. Selection in one direction. Biometrics 28: 767–780.
Hoard K.G. & T.M. Crosbie, 1985. S1-line recurrent selection for cold tolerance in two maize populations. Crop Sci. 25: 1041–1045.
Landi P. & S. Conti, 1983. Selezione per l'ottenimento di genotipi di mais tolleranti i freddi primaverili tardivi. Sementi Elette 29, 5: 9–13.
Martiniello P., 1985. Recurrent visual selection in S1 progenies for early vigor in maize (Zea mays L.). Maydica 30: 301–308.
McConnell R.L. & C.O. Gardner, 1979a. Selection for cold germination in two corn populations. Crop Sci. 19: 765–768.
McConnell R.L. & C.O. Gardner, 1979b. Inheritance of several cold tolerance traits in corn. Crop Sci. 19: 847–852.
Menkir A. & E.N. Larter, 1987. Emergence and seedling growth of inbred lines of corn at suboptimal root-zone temperatures. Can. J. Plant Sci. 67: 409–415.
Miedema, P., 1982. The effects of low temperature on Zea mays. Advances in Agronomy, 93–128.
Mock J.J., 1979. Investigation of genotype x environment interaction for cold tolerance of maize. Iowa State J. of Res. 53, 4: 291–296.
Mock J.J. & S.A. Eberhart, 1972. Cold tolerance in adapted maize populations. Crop Sci. 12: 466–469.
Mock J.J. & A.A. Bakri, 1976. Recurrent selection for cold tolerance in maize. Crop Sci. 16: 230–233.
Mock J.J. & D.C. Erbach, 1977. Influence of conservationtillage environments on growth and productivity of corn. Agron. J. 69: 337–340.
Mock J.J. & M.J. McNeill, 1979. Cold tolerance of maize inbred lines adapted to various latitudes in North America. Crop Sci. 19: 239–242.
Mosely P.R., T.M. Crosbie & J.J. Mock, 1984. Mass selection for improved cold and density tolerance of two maize populations. Euphytica 33: 263–269.
Pendleton J.W., 1965. Cultural practices-spacing, etc. Proc. Ann. Corn and Sorghum Res. Conf. 20: 51–58.
Pesev N.V., 1970. Genetic factors affecting maize tolerance to low temperatures at emergence and germination. Theor. Appl. Genet. 40: 351–356.
Pinnell E.L., 1949. Genetic and environmental factors affecting corn seed germination at low temperatures. Agron. J. 41: 562–568.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Landi, P., Frascaroli, E. & Lovato, A. Divergent full-sib recurrent selection for germination at low temperature in a maize population. Euphytica 64, 21–29 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023534
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023534