Number of recombinations and genetic properties of a maize population undergoing recurrent selection

Abstract

In maize recurrent selection programs, selected genotypes were recombined once to generate genetic variability for the next selection cycle. Selection generates negative gametic phase disequilibrium which reduces genetic variances, and this disequilibrium is not significantly reduced with only one generation of recombination. The objective of this research was to assess the effects of one additional generation of recombination on phenotypic and genotypic parameters in a maize population undergoing recurrent selection. Selected progenies of the EPB-4 population were subjected to one and two generations of recombination, and from each generation half- and full-sib progenies were developed and evaluated at three environments for grain yield, plant and ear heights, prolificacy, and ear placement. There were no significant changes between each progeny type with one and two generations of recombination for the means, ranges, phenotypic distribution of the traits, genetic variances, heritability coefficients, and genetic correlations for the traits assessed. The results suggest that an additional generation of recombination will not increase the effectiveness of maize recurrent selection programs.