No description available.

Data were collected on 24 traits to characterize and classify 35 white floury corn (Zea mays L.) landraces collected on native reserves in Ontario. Several landrace x landrace and landrace x inbred crosses were evaluated. Test crosses were made to determine whether the landraces carry the floury-l (fl$ sb1$) allele. Most traits examined exhibited considerable variation among the landraces. Variation was also observed within many of the landraces for ear and cob colour, for endosperm texture and row number. The landraces were grouped into 10 clusters by centroid clustering analysis. Significant heterosis over the mid-parent value was observed in the crosses among landraces. Some crosses between landraces and inbreds yielded more than either parent. Crossing the landraces with the inbreds improved some agronomic characteristics, but disrupted some of the ear characteristics of the landraces. The floury factor responsible for the characteristic endosperm texture of the IAPO landraces was identified as being the dosage dependent fl$ sb1$.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-240). / Microfiche. / xx, 240 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm

A investigação da mancha ocular do milho foi baseada no seu agente causal e na elaboração de uma escala diagramática da doença que auxiliou na avaliação da sensibilidade dos genótipos de milho, correlacionada com a resposta de defesas bioquímicas da planta. Na primeira etapa do trabalho, 35 isolados de Kabatiella zeae, de diferentes materiais genéticos de milho, foram avaliados quanto à coloração e aspecto das colônias e mensuração dos esporos do fungo em BSA. Os meios de cultura utilizados foram BSA (batata, sacarose e ágar), MA (malte e ágar), AvA (aveia e ágar) e FA (fubá de milho e ágar). Discos de 5 mm de diâmetro, foram colocadas no centro das placas contendo os respectivos meios de cultura. As placas foram incubadas a 24° C com fotoperíodo de 12 horas , por 10 dias. As características das colônias e mensuração dos conídios foram avaliadas em BSA, e o crescimento radial, nos quatro meios. Houve diferença entre todos os isolados em relação aos meios de cultura. Observou-se que a dimensão dos esporos variou de 3- 4 x 27-33 μm, de largura e comprimento, respectivamente, e que 80% dos isolados apresentaram coloração clara (rosa) e aspecto coreáceo e enrugado, e o maior crescimento micelial foi observado no meio BSA. A escala diagramática foi desenvolvida coletando-se 110 folhas doentes, aleatoriamente no campo, eliminando-se 20 cm da extremidade, sendo utilizados os 20 cm seguintes. Foi mensurada a área foliar e área das lesões para determinação dos limites de severidade mínima e máxima da doença, e os níveis intermediários calculados matematicamente. Os níveis de severidade observados em campo seguiram incrementos logarítmicos, representando: 0,9; 2,0; 4,0; 9,0; 18,0; 32,0 e 51,0% da área foliar lesionada. A validação da escala consistiu-se em duas etapas: na primeira, 10 avaliadores, com experiência na avaliação de doenças em plantas, avaliaram 30 folhas com diferentes níveis de severidade, com e sem o uso da escala diagramática. Na segunda etapa, outros 10 avaliadores, sem experiência, fizeram as mesmas avaliações, com e sem uso da escala diagramática. Por meio de regressão linear, foram confrontados valores de severidade reais e estimados, sendo analisadas a acurácia e a precisão dos avaliadores. Constatou-se melhora na acurácia e na precisão das estimativas visuais efetuadas com o auxílio da escala diagramática. A reação de genótipos de milho à mancha ocular foi avaliada no município de Pato Branco-PR na safra 2006/2007, com 33 híbridos e na safra 2007/2008, com 10 híbridos em duas épocas de semeadura e no município de Palma Sola-SC, na safra 2007/2008 com 8 híbridos. Os híbridos AG 9020 e SPRINT apresentaram maior suscetibilidade à doença, em relação à AS 1565 e DKB 234, repetindo este comportamento nos dois locais e épocas de cultivo. A enzima peroxidase foi observada em maior concentração nas folhas dos híbridos de milho com menor severidade de mancha ocular. / This investigation on corn eyespot was based on its causal agent and on the preparation of a diagrammatic scale that helped evaluate the reaction of corn genotypes, in correlation with the response obtained from the plant’s biochemical defenses. In the first step of the study, 35 Kabatiella zeae isolates from different corn genetic materials had their colonies evaluated for color and aspect, and their spores measured in PSA medium. The following culture media were used: PSA (potato, sucrose, agar), MA (malt and agar), OA (oat and agar) and CA (corn flour and agar). Disks (5 mm in diameter) were placed in the center of Petri dishes containing the respective culture media. The dishes were incubated at 24°C and a 12-hour photoperiod for 10 days. Colony traits and conidia measurements were evaluated in PSA, while radial growth was evaluated in the four media. There were differences between all isolates with regard to the culture media. Spore size varied from 3-4 × 27-33 μm in width and length, respectively, and 80% of the isolates had a light color (pink) and a coriaceous and wrinkled aspect; the highest mycelial growth was observed in the PSA medium. A diagrammatic scale was developed by randomly collecting 110 diseased leaves in the field, discarding 20 cm from the leaf tip, and using the next 20 cm. Measurements were made for leaf area and the area containing lesions in order to determine minimum and maximum severity limits of the disease; intermediate levels were calculated mathematically. The severity levels observed in the field followed logarithmic increases, representing: 0.9; 2.0; 4.0; 9.0; 18.0; 32.0; and 51.0% of leaf area with lesions. Scale validation consisted of two steps: in the first, 10 evaluators experienced in plant disease evaluations assessed 30 leaves with different severity levels, both using and not using the diagrammatic scale. In the second step, another 10 naive (without experience) evaluators performed the same evaluations, both using and not using the diagrammatic scale. Actual and estimated severity values were compared by linear regression, and evaluator accuracy and precision were analyzed. Better accuracy and precision were obtained for visual estimates made with the diagrammatic scale. The reaction of corn genotypes to eyespot was evaluated in the city of Pato Branco-PR during the 2006/2007 growing season using 33 hybrids, and during the 2007/2008 growing season using 10 hybrids at two distinct sowing seasons, and in the city of Palma Sola-SC during the 2007/2008 growing season with 8 hybrids. Hybrids AG 9020 and SPRINT were the most susceptible to the disease in relation to AS 1565 and DKB 234; this behavior was observed in both years and planting seasons. The peroxidase enzyme was observed at higher concentrations in leaves of corn hybrids with the lowest eyespot severity.

A investigação da mancha ocular do milho foi baseada no seu agente causal e na elaboração de uma escala diagramática da doença que auxiliou na avaliação da sensibilidade dos genótipos de milho, correlacionada com a resposta de defesas bioquímicas da planta. Na primeira etapa do trabalho, 35 isolados de Kabatiella zeae, de diferentes materiais genéticos de milho, foram avaliados quanto à coloração e aspecto das colônias e mensuração dos esporos do fungo em BSA. Os meios de cultura utilizados foram BSA (batata, sacarose e ágar), MA (malte e ágar), AvA (aveia e ágar) e FA (fubá de milho e ágar). Discos de 5 mm de diâmetro, foram colocadas no centro das placas contendo os respectivos meios de cultura. As placas foram incubadas a 24° C com fotoperíodo de 12 horas , por 10 dias. As características das colônias e mensuração dos conídios foram avaliadas em BSA, e o crescimento radial, nos quatro meios. Houve diferença entre todos os isolados em relação aos meios de cultura. Observou-se que a dimensão dos esporos variou de 3- 4 x 27-33 μm, de largura e comprimento, respectivamente, e que 80% dos isolados apresentaram coloração clara (rosa) e aspecto coreáceo e enrugado, e o maior crescimento micelial foi observado no meio BSA. A escala diagramática foi desenvolvida coletando-se 110 folhas doentes, aleatoriamente no campo, eliminando-se 20 cm da extremidade, sendo utilizados os 20 cm seguintes. Foi mensurada a área foliar e área das lesões para determinação dos limites de severidade mínima e máxima da doença, e os níveis intermediários calculados matematicamente. Os níveis de severidade observados em campo seguiram incrementos logarítmicos, representando: 0,9; 2,0; 4,0; 9,0; 18,0; 32,0 e 51,0% da área foliar lesionada. A validação da escala consistiu-se em duas etapas: na primeira, 10 avaliadores, com experiência na avaliação de doenças em plantas, avaliaram 30 folhas com diferentes níveis de severidade, com e sem o uso da escala diagramática. Na segunda etapa, outros 10 avaliadores, sem experiência, fizeram as mesmas avaliações, com e sem uso da escala diagramática. Por meio de regressão linear, foram confrontados valores de severidade reais e estimados, sendo analisadas a acurácia e a precisão dos avaliadores. Constatou-se melhora na acurácia e na precisão das estimativas visuais efetuadas com o auxílio da escala diagramática. A reação de genótipos de milho à mancha ocular foi avaliada no município de Pato Branco-PR na safra 2006/2007, com 33 híbridos e na safra 2007/2008, com 10 híbridos em duas épocas de semeadura e no município de Palma Sola-SC, na safra 2007/2008 com 8 híbridos. Os híbridos AG 9020 e SPRINT apresentaram maior suscetibilidade à doença, em relação à AS 1565 e DKB 234, repetindo este comportamento nos dois locais e épocas de cultivo. A enzima peroxidase foi observada em maior concentração nas folhas dos híbridos de milho com menor severidade de mancha ocular. / This investigation on corn eyespot was based on its causal agent and on the preparation of a diagrammatic scale that helped evaluate the reaction of corn genotypes, in correlation with the response obtained from the plant’s biochemical defenses. In the first step of the study, 35 Kabatiella zeae isolates from different corn genetic materials had their colonies evaluated for color and aspect, and their spores measured in PSA medium. The following culture media were used: PSA (potato, sucrose, agar), MA (malt and agar), OA (oat and agar) and CA (corn flour and agar). Disks (5 mm in diameter) were placed in the center of Petri dishes containing the respective culture media. The dishes were incubated at 24°C and a 12-hour photoperiod for 10 days. Colony traits and conidia measurements were evaluated in PSA, while radial growth was evaluated in the four media. There were differences between all isolates with regard to the culture media. Spore size varied from 3-4 × 27-33 μm in width and length, respectively, and 80% of the isolates had a light color (pink) and a coriaceous and wrinkled aspect; the highest mycelial growth was observed in the PSA medium. A diagrammatic scale was developed by randomly collecting 110 diseased leaves in the field, discarding 20 cm from the leaf tip, and using the next 20 cm. Measurements were made for leaf area and the area containing lesions in order to determine minimum and maximum severity limits of the disease; intermediate levels were calculated mathematically. The severity levels observed in the field followed logarithmic increases, representing: 0.9; 2.0; 4.0; 9.0; 18.0; 32.0; and 51.0% of leaf area with lesions. Scale validation consisted of two steps: in the first, 10 evaluators experienced in plant disease evaluations assessed 30 leaves with different severity levels, both using and not using the diagrammatic scale. In the second step, another 10 naive (without experience) evaluators performed the same evaluations, both using and not using the diagrammatic scale. Actual and estimated severity values were compared by linear regression, and evaluator accuracy and precision were analyzed. Better accuracy and precision were obtained for visual estimates made with the diagrammatic scale. The reaction of corn genotypes to eyespot was evaluated in the city of Pato Branco-PR during the 2006/2007 growing season using 33 hybrids, and during the 2007/2008 growing season using 10 hybrids at two distinct sowing seasons, and in the city of Palma Sola-SC during the 2007/2008 growing season with 8 hybrids. Hybrids AG 9020 and SPRINT were the most susceptible to the disease in relation to AS 1565 and DKB 234; this behavior was observed in both years and planting seasons. The peroxidase enzyme was observed at higher concentrations in leaves of corn hybrids with the lowest eyespot severity.

The NDSU EarlyGEM or the Early Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (Zea maize L.) is a long term incorporation program designed to increase the genetic diversity of short season hybrids. Starting in 1999, exotic GEM breeding crosses derived from temperate accessions: BR52051, CH05015; tropical accessions: SCR01, CUBA17, FS8B; and tropical hybrid DKB844 along with late checks: B73, Mo17, and Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS), were adapted to short-seasons and incorporated via a modified backcross (BC) procedure. This study was designed to assess the genetic diversity in exotic derived BC1:S1 lines and their competitive potential as sources of new and unique hybrids. Useful genetic diversity was evaluated with testers belonging to opposite heterotic groups, LH176 representing a non stiff stalk and TR3026 x TR2040 a stiff stalk testers and were tested in five North Dakota environments over two years (2009 and 2010). All the traits showed highly significant (P<0.01) differences across genotypes except root and stalk lodging. Among 236 experimental testcrosses, 64 were statistically not different (LSD, 0.05) to industry hybrids for grain yield. BC derived lines from BR52051, CHO5015, DKB844 showed diverse alleles for low grain moisture (below 87 relative maturity days) at harvest and high grain yield. SCR01, BR52051, CHO5015 and CUBA117 derived lines produced hybrids with high grain oil (4. 9% vs. 4.1%) and grain protein (10.4% vs. 9.1%) contents compared to top checks. The results showed that the exotic incorporations are the sources of unique new alleles for early maturing maize not present in existing US germplasms (e.g. B73, Mo17, and BSSS). Even though each exotic cross was unique to integrate diverse alleles, utilizing multiple unique exotic crosses for incorporation showed large variation for specific traits. Phenotypic correlations of traits showed grain moisture played the most important role for short season hybrid development. Exotic incorporation through NDSU EarlyGEM has shown a new way of breeding early maturing maize keeping the breeding program open and genetic diversity high.

No description available.

no abstract provided by author / Master of Science

Improving protein quality and identifying superior inbreds and hybrids are significant challenges in commercial maize breeding programs. These two problems were addressed in separate studies on inbreds and hybrids from a complete diallel cross of 12 elite proprietary inbred lines of maize evaluated in field trials in two locations for two years. One of the inbreds (WI) was a novel source of high quality protein obtained from Wilson Seeds, Inc. in Harlan, Iowa. In the first study, diallel analyses were used to study combining ability and types of gene action important in the inheritance of protein content, grain yield, grain moisture at harvest, time to silk, kernel hardness, and density. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were highly significant for all traits indicating presence of both additive and non-additive effects, respectively. Reciprocal effects (REe), often assumed to be absent in maize diallel studies, were significant for grain yield and protein concentration, suggesting that choice of female parent may be important for these traits. Ratios expressing the relative importance of GCA and SCA indicated that protein concentration is controlled primarily by additive gene action. In the second study, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data were obtained for the 12 inbreds using 42 genomic clones each with four restriction enzymes. Modified Roger's distances were calculated and used in cluster analyses for heterotic grouping of the inbreds. Two measures of level of heterozygosity and hybrid value were evaluated as means of predicting Fl performance of hybrids in the complete diallel set of hybrids and in groups of hybrids representing crosses between and within heterotic groups. Results from this study confirm those of previous investigations with respect to prediction of hybrid performance when comparable groupings of crosses between related and unrelated lines were evaluated. This study further indicates that RFLPs may also be useful for prediction of hybrid performance in situations typical of early generations of many maize breeding programs where recombinant inbreds are testcrossed to a common tester inbred. / Ph. D.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agronomy))--University of Limpopo, 2010 / Refer to document.