SOPROPHYTIC RESPONSE TO POLLEN SELECTION FOR ALACHLOR TOLERANCE IN MAIZE

In order to assess the efficiency of male gametophytic selection (MGS) for crop improvement, pollen selection for tolerance to herbicide was applied in maize. The experiment was designed to test the parallel re activity to Alachlor. of pollen and plants grown in controlled conditi ons or in the field, the response to pollen selection in the sporophyt ic progeny, the response to a second cycle of MGS, and the transmissio n of the selected trait to the following generations. The results demo nstrated that pollen assay can be used to predict Alachlor tolerance u nder field conditions and to monitor the response to selection. A posi tive response to selection applied to pollen in the sporophytic progen y was obtained in diverse genetic backgrounds, indicating that the tec hnique can be generally included in standard breeding programs; the an alysis of the data produced in a second selection cycle indicated that the selected trait is maintained in the next generation.