Genetic effects on corn seed longevity

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the maternal and paternal genetic effects of the physiological quality of hybrid seed corn over time, as well as the contribution of heterosis for this trait. The seeds of single hybrids, reciprocals and parents were obtained by manual crosses in a complete diallel cross scheme. The analyses of germination and accelerated aging were performed and the data were analyzed with Tukey test and Griffing method. The quadratic components of general combining ability were similar to the effects of specific combining ability and superior to reciprocal, in most evaluation periods, implying that the effects on seed quality characters were attributed to genes of additive effect and genes of non-additive effect. The maternal effect of corn seed longevity was highly significant however its contribution was smaller than general combining ability and specific combining ability effects, but proved to be important in combinations of parents with lower estimate of general combining ability.