A. Hameed et al., EVALUATION OF CATETO MAIZE ACCESSIONS FOR GRAIN-YIELD AND OTHER AGRONOMIC TRAITS IN TEMPERATE AND TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTS, Crop science, 34(1), 1994, pp. 270-275
The temperate maize (Zea mays L.) race Cateto may have potential for i
mproving grain quality in temperate breeding programs. Temperate germp
lasm may also be useful in tropical breeding programs for improving yi
eld, agronomic traits, and grain quality. The objective of our study w
as to assess the yield potential of Cateto race accessions testcrossed
with two Corn Belt inbreds for grain yield and other agronomic traits
in both temperate and tropical environments. Exotic inbreds represent
ing Cateto, intermediate, and non-Cateto races were crossed to two U.S
. Corn Belt inbreds (Mo17 and B73). Testcrosses (F(1)s), their F-2 and
backcross generations, and four checks were evaluated in 1989 through
1991 at three temperate (two in Iowa and one in Missouri) and two tro
pical (Florida and Zimbabwe) locations. Data were recorded for grain y
ield, harvest moisture content, days to tassel, ear height, stalk lodg
ing, and root lodging. The testcross-by-generation interaction was sig
nificant for all traits, except grain yield, whereas the testcross-by-
tester interaction was significant for ear height, stalk lodging, and
root lodging. B73 contributed more favorable alleles for improved stan
dability and grain yield than did Mo17. Although the testcross by loca
tion interaction was significant for all traits, the tropical and temp
erate environments ranked testcrosses similarly. The tropical location
s had both the highest and the lowest mean grain yields. The best test
crosses identified in temperate locations may have potential for intro
gression in the tropics.