Alterations in heterosis of maize populations derived from single-cross hybrids after reciprocal recurrent selection
Francislei Vitti Raposo, Magno Antônio Patto Ramalho and Pedro Hélio Estevam Ribeiro
One hundred and sixty-nine interpopulational half sib progenies were obtained from maize populations derived from the commercial single-cross hybrids AG9012 (1) and C333 (2) to investigate the efficiency of reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS). Fifteen progenies with highest hulled ear yield were obtained. Two recombination trials were sown with remnant S1 seeds, and the improved CI1 and CI2 populations were simultaneously obtained with their hybrid combination. Yield trials were set up in three sites to assess the efficiency of the RRS. The F1 from single-cross hybrid AG9012 and C333, the doublecross (F1(1) x F1(2)) hybrids, the C01 and C02 populations, the interpopulational hybrid (C01 x C02), the CI1 and CI2 improved populations, and their hybrid (CI1 x CI2) were compared. A 5.7% progress was obtained in one cycle of RRS for ear yield, mainly attributed to increased heterosis. The yield of the improved hybrid was superior to the F1 from single-cross hybrids AG9012 and C333, demonstrating the potential of the referred hybrid combination.