Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #168500
Title: EVALUATION OF MAIZE HYBRIDS DERIVED FROM TRIPSCUM-MAIZE LINES.

Author
item Maas, David
item Springer, Timothy
item DEWALD, CHET - RETIRED ARS

Submitted to: Abstract of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/20/2004
Publication Date: 11/1/2004
Citation: Maas, D.L., Springer, T.L., Dewald, C.L. 2004. Evaluation of maize hybrids derived from tripscum-maize lines [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy.Paper No. 4527.

Interpretive Summary: Not required.

Technical Abstract: Maize improvement requires hybridizations within the genus and occasionally between distantly related genera for genetic variation. An inter-generic cross between an eastern gamagrass hybrid [Tripsacum floridanum (Porter ex Vassey x T. dactyloides (L.) L.] and a popcorn (Zea mays L.) pollinator produced a single individual with a combined genome. The original F1 hybrid was backcrossed four times with maize lines to produce an individual (BC4) possessing the nuclear genome of maize and extra nuclear genes from Tripsacum. The BC4 line was further backcrossed with 12 separate inbred maize lines to produce advanced lines of field corn, sweet corn and popcorn. The advanced lines were crossed with commercial inbred lines creating numerous hybrid lines. Replicated multi-state testing of the hybrid field corn lines continued with trials in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri during 2003. Yields of the top hybrids were not significantly different than check varieties used in the trials. Fatty acid profiles performed on the seed of gamagrass derived maize lines and hybrids showed the presence of myristic acid; whereas none was observed in the commercial inbred lines used. Corn rootworm damage evaluations were performed on gamagrass derived maize lines and hybrids. The gamagrass lines exhibited lower root damage scores than the susceptible check and commercial inbred lines tested.