Popcorn is the most popular snack food in the world. Genetic diversity is of major concern in popcorn breeding. High genetic diversity allows manipulation of different genotypes to breed new varieties. There is very little published work on popcorn production in Sub-Saharan Africa primarily in South Africa. Popcorn production in South Africa could be hampered by the lack of superior and adapted varieties with large genetic base, good popping ability and high yield. Studies relating popping expansion volume and grain yield are of fundamental importance for popcorn improvement, but they are limited. Furthermore, there is limited number of studies regarding popcorn genetic diversity among locally developed popcorn varieties. The objectives of the study were; (i) to investigate genetic variability among the popcorn inbred lines, (ii) to study the magnitude of genetic diversity among the popcorn inbred lines, (iii) to establish the relationship between popping ability and seed yield, and with secondary traits, and (iv) to evaluate the effect of popping methods on popping ability of different popcorn inbred lines. Two populations designated as Population 1 and Population 2 with 83 and 81 inbred lines, respectively, were used in the study.On the study of the appraisal of popping methods, the highest popping expansion volume (cm³) and less number of unpopped kernels were obtained from hot air popping than in the microwave popping method. The study revealed that hot air popping method is more effective and efficient in discriminating popping ability of the inbred lines. The study further revealed that the two methods rank genotypes differently. The presence of genotype × popping method interaction resulted in three different groups. (i) Genotype adaptation across methods, (ii) specific adaptation to microwave popping, and (iii) specific adaptation to hot air popping method. Hence, when breeders evaluate popping ability of different genotypes, they should consider the method, depending on the way consumers will do the popping. The study of relationship between traits showed that popping expansion volume and seed yield was positively and significantly correlated. Nevertheless, the relationship between seed yield and popping expansion volume was weak. Popping expansion volume was negatively and weakly correlated with most secondary traits except kernel aspect and number of unpopped kernels. The direct effects of kernel aspect score on popping expansion volume were large and negative. Other traits showed small direct and indirect effects on popping expansion volume. Traits including days to anthesis, ear prolificacy and ear aspect exhibited large direct effects on seed yield. Indirect and direct effects of other traits on seed yield were small. Relationship among several secondary traits was small. The results obtained showed that selection for high seed yield will not negatively impact popping expansion volume and vice versa, therefore, popping expansion volume and seed yield can be improved concurrently. Overall, indirect effects of secondary traits on seed yield and popping expansion volume were small; this supported the focus on direct selection of these traits to improve seed yield and popping ability. Based on the study of genetic diversity and variability, inbred lines showed large genetic variation and high heritability for 18 traits. Phenotypic and genetic coefficient of variation was high in seven and six traits, respectively. A large percentage of genetic advance was recorded in 11 traits. Dendogram derived from phenotypic data grouped the inbred lines into four to seven clusters depending on heritability. Dendogram produced from 22 SSR markers grouped inbred lines into five clusters. Overall, the study showed that, maximum popping ability of inbred lines is dependent on the method used. Simultaneous improvement of seed yield and popping expansion volume is possible through selection of inbred lines combining both high popping expansion volume and seed yield. Improvement of the two traits should be based on selection for traits with large direct effects. The magnitude of genetic diversity among the inbred lines was large; therefore, distant inbred lines can be selected as parents and crossed to develop new varieties that are locally adapted. Above all, the results have implications for the methods which would be used to process popcorn by consumers especially in developing rural communities. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Popcorn is increasingly becoming popular as a snack and is consumed widely all over the world. It is a high value crop, with possible multiplier effects like income generation for the under-resourced communities in the second economy. Despite its popularity, developing countries are battling to meet the demand and rely on importing popcorn grain due to challenges which include poor agronomic traits and slow breeding progress. Most of the imported varieties are not adapted to stress-prone local environments, which are prevalent in tropical sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the study was to evaluate newly developed hybrids and inbred lines for agronomic and popping quality traits with the possibility for commercialization in future. The study aimed at determining variability for popping ability in inbred lines and hybrids, grain yield and its secondary traits, the nature of gene action, relationships among agronomic and popping quality traits, effect of genotype x environment interaction on agronomic traits and popping method x genotype interaction effects. To determine popping ability, 128 inbred lines were evaluated at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in June 2011 using two popping methods, the microwave method and the hot-air method. The popping quality attributes measured were flake volume, popping fold, number of unpopped kernels, kernel size and quality score. Variability among inbred lines was significant (P<0.05) for all traits. Flake volume ranged from 63 cm3 to 850 cm3, popping fold ranged from 2.5 to 34 times the original volume. Kernel size had a significant positive correlation (r= 0.49) with the number of unpopped kernels. There was a significant strong and negative correlation between flake volume and the number of unpopped kernels (r= -0.62), indicating that either of the two traits would be effective for measuring popping ability. Experimental hybrids were then developed from 87 out of the possible 128 inbred lines. Only the inbred lines with sufficient seed were crossed to develop hybrids. Random crosses were generated at Makhathini Research Station during the winter season of 2011. Crosses were made at random among parents that managed to synchronize their flowering dates, resulting in 119 hybrids with sufficient seed for planting in trials. To determine agronomic superiority, the 119 experimental hybrids and the standard check P618 were evaluated at the Cedara Research Station and Ukulinga Research Farm in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal during the summer of 2011/2012. The experiments were laid out as 10 x 12 alpha lattice design, with two replications at each site. Standard cultural practices for maize were followed. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and line x tester analysis in Genstat and SAS statistical programmes. Results indicated that hybrids were significantly different for all agronomic traits. Means for grain yield ranged from 1.0 t/ha to 5.2 t/ ha. General combining ability effects were significant for all agronomic traits, suggesting that additive gene effects were governing these traits. Specific combining ability effects were significant for ear length, number of ears per plant and yield indicating, that non-additive gene effects were influential for these traits. Generally, agronomic traits were highly heritable. Grain yield showed significant and positive correlation with ear length, plant height, ear position, shelling percentage and number of ears per plant, indicating that these were the major yield-determining secondary traits which should be enhanced in popcorn. Although site main effects were highly significant for secondary traits, the hybrid x site interaction was not significant. The results therefore indicate that the hybrids were ranked similarly at both sites. The 119 experimental hybrids and the standard check P618 were evaluated for popping quality, using the microwave and the hot-air popping method. There was a significant variability observed among hybrids for popping quality traits. Flake volume across sites and across popping methods ranged from 734 cm3 to 1288 cm3. Popping fold ranged from 14.69 to 25.75 times the original volume. Additive gene action was more prominent than non-additive action for all popping quality traits. The SCA effects were significant for flake volume, popping fold and number of kernels per 10 g. All popping quality traits had high heritability, indicating that selection would be effective to improve popping. Flake volume was negatively correlated to quality score, indicating that popping expansion is reflected on the quality score and a significant negative correlation between flake volume and number of unpopped kernels. There was significant and strong positive correlation between kernel size and number of unpopped kernels. Hybrid x site interaction was only significant for quality score and kernel size. Hybrid x method interaction was not significant, indicating that popping ability was not dependent on the method. Inbred lines showed significant variation for popping quality and therefore have utility for hybrid development. Significant genotypic variation was also observed among hybrids for agronomic and popping quality traits. Additive gene action was predominantly responsible for both agronomic and popping quality traits. Both agronomic and popping quality traits were highly heritable and positive relationships were identified among traits. Overall, the study indicates opportunities for further breeding progress through selection. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-Unversity of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012