MAIZE GENETIC PROGRESS IN THE STATE OF MATO-GROSSO-DO-SUL, BRAZIL, FROM 1986 87 TO 1993/94/

This work was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the genetic pro gress obtained with the maize crop in Mate Grosso do Sul, Brazil, util izing data of cultivar evaluation trials conducted in regions represen tative of the State, from 1986/87 to 1993/94. The yearly genetic gains were estimated to be 1.2% and 2.19% by Vencovsky and Fernandes method ologies, respectively; therefore, the genetic progress obtained with m aize in the State of Mate Grosso do Sul was expressive in the period. In these trials the average rate of cultivar replacement was also quan tified. It was found that the average rate of cultivars replacement ov er the eight-year evaluation period was 55.7%, showing that breeding p rograms of seed companies have been very dynamic in generating new mat erials.