MAIZE POPULATION HYBRIDS: SUCCESSFUL GENETIC RESOURCES FOR BREEDING PROGRAMS AND POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES TO SINGLE-CROSS HYBRIDS

摘要

Conservation of maize (Zea mays L.) genetic resources has been the emphasis ofnational and international institutions for the benefit of mankind. However, limitedresources have been devoted to their adequate exploitation, making genetic resources lessuseful to the public and private scientific community. As a consequence, public maizebreeders have exploited a limited number of heterotic combinations for cultivardevelopment and basic molecular studies while genetic effects are different for differenthybrids. Extensive testing of maize population hybrids is a successful approach to chooseand improve germplasm sources with high mean performance, useful genetic variability,and excellent combining ability. There is a need to keep applied breeding programs strongin order to link efforts in germplasm conservation with its improvement and utilization.