Bayesian analysis of quantitative traits in popcorn (Zea mays L.) through four cycles of recurrent selection

Abstract

A Bayesian analysis of genetic parameters for quantitative traits was carried out in full-sib families of popcorn through four cycles (C5, C6, C7, and C8) of recurrent selection. The parameters of Bayesian model were estimated using the independence chain algorithm. Grain yield and plant height were found to be moderately heritable ranging from 0.25 to 0.48 and 0.45 to 0.58, respectively. The highest heritability estimates were found for popping expansion volume at C5 ($ \hat{h}_{C_5}^{2} $ = 0.71), and C7 ($ \hat{h}_{C_7}^{2} $ = 0.63). The response of recurrent selection was 30.5 and 32.3% for grain yield and popping expansion volume, respectively. In C8, predicted genetic advances (from the Bayesian prediction of genotypic values) were 4.8, 4.3, and 2.9% for plant height, grain yield, and popping expansion volume, respectively. The significant genetic variability among popcorn families in successive cycles of recurrent selection has sustained continued genetic progress in breeding for the traits of interest.

Keywords

• Genetic progress
• grain yield
• independence chain algorithm
• popping expansion volume