RECURRENT SELECTION FOR GENERAL COMBINING ABILITY IN MAIZE TO IMPROVE YIELD AND CORNHUSK QUALITY

Abstract

Cornhusks are the bracts of the cob traditionally used to wrap tamales, whose economic importance is increasing, and the availability of maize varieties for this purpose is limited. The objective of this research was to generate knowledge regarding the use of recurrent selection to identify S₁ lines with promising combining ability to improve both the yield and quality of cornhusks. In 2017, 96 top-crosses and four controls were evaluated in three environments in Puebla state, using a 10x10 simple lattice design. In the statistical analysis, combined analysis of variance and Tukey’s comparison of means (P ≤ 0.05) were performed. The average total cornhusk yield was 2.3 t ha^-1 and the average useful cornhusk yield was 1.5 t ha^-1. Husk length ranged from 21.9 to 28.4 cm and their width from 17 to 22.8 cm, allowing for the classification of bracts for different market niches. On average, the total number of bracts was 13 per ear, and the number of useful bracts was 10.7. In combination with the PTU tester, lines L5, L54, and L61 showed the most promise in improving total cornhusk yield, useful cornhusk yield, and useful cornhusk percentage, respectively. These top-crosses, for the same attributes and in that order, outperformed the best control PTN by 55 %, P88 by 50 %, and P88 by 16.3 %. The L54xPTU top-cross combined high total and useful totomoxtle yields with a high percentage of useful husks and grain yield, indicating that the L54 line has better overall combining ability with the potential to improve these attributes simultaneously. The top-crosses test allowed the identification of promising S1 line groups for improving both yield and totomoxtle quality, grain yield, or a combination of those traits of interest in maize.