Revista Brasileira de Milho e Sorgo (Dec 2005)
GAINS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS IN THE MAIZE POPCORN BRS ANGELA
Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the BRS Angela new selectioncycle and to verify the possibility of substitution of the commercial cycle VI. The twocycles plus the commercial testers, IAC 112 and Zélia were evaluated, using a randomizedblock design with eight replications, in the crop year of 2002/2003, in Sete Lagoas- MG.We analyzed 15 maize breeding agronomic characteristics, including the index ofexpansion capacity (IEC) and the sieve yield classification, both important for popcorn.In the cycle VIb the plants were earlier, smaller and with lower ears, more tolerant to thestalk and colm lodging. Besides, there was an increment of 4,40% in the productivityand 4,30% in the IEC. The largest change in the cycle VIb was in the sieve yields, with asensitive increase in the proportion of grains with a diameter larger than 6mm and decreaseof the grains with a diameter smaller than 5mm. A defect of the cycle VIb was theincrease in the percentage of diseased ears, but it was similar to the single hybrid IAC112, and superior to the three-way hybrid Zélia. Also for being phenotypically morebeautiful, the substitution of the cycle VI for the cycle VIb was considered advantageous.
