Potential of intervarietal maize hybrids from a reciprocal recurrent selection program
Mariane Cristina Bianchi, Julia Carvalho Costa, Guilherme Leite Dias Vilela, Adriano Teodoro Bruzi, Magno Antônio Patto Ramalho, Ewerton Lelys Resende, Antônio Henrique Fonseca de Carvalho and Mateus Ribeiro Piza
Abstract: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of intervarietal hybrids (IH) from a reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) program and determine the optimal number of parents for creating IH. A RRS cycle was conducted, and the top 20 hybrids were selected based on full-sib (FS) evaluation results. Various numbers of S1 progenies were recombined to form improved populations A, B, C, and D. IH populations AB and CD were also created. Evaluations of the IH indicated significant genetic variance among FS progenies, suggesting variability and potential for successful selection. Heterosis estimates were higher with fewer progenies in the parent population. Combining RRS programs with IH production is promising, as it allows for the creation of superior hybrids and continued improvement of heterosis between populations.