Evaluation of inbred lines, commercial materials, and two maize populations for aluminum tolerance

Abstract

The evaluation of 39 inbred lines, 98 commercial materials, 167 progenies from, an IAC-Maya population, and 466 progenies from an IAC-Taiuba population of maize (Zea mays L.) for Al tolerance in nutrient solutions was carried out. The following root characteristics were use: CRI (growth radicle index), determined by multiplying RRL (relative radicle length) and RLLSR (relative length of the longest secondary root), and NRL (net radicle length) estimated by the difference between the measurements of RL (radicle length) obtained at the beginning and at the end of the growth period in Al-stressed nutrient solutions. Both indices RRL and RLLSR were determined by dividing the values obtained in solutions with and no added Al. The characteristic GRI was used to evaluate the inbred lines and the IAC-Maya populations, while NRL was used for the commercial materials. The control materials were IAC HS 1227 (Al tolerant) and IAC HS 7777 (Al susceptible). The nutrient solution technique was efficient to differentiate Al tolerance among the maize genotypes tested. A wide genetic variability was found regarding the Al tolerance trait among the maize genotypes tested. The following maize inbred lines and commercial materials were tolerant to Al (4,5 mg/l): Porto Rico 70.D.2, Ip 48-5-3, Ip 365-4-1, IA 2992-3-1-2-3, Viç 3-2-3-30-V-6, 490, 519, 532, 535-2, and 820 (inbred lines) and AG 82, AO 260, AGROMEM 1022, ASGROW 1255, DINA 03S, DINA 47, IAC Hmd 7974, SS 1243, and UNICAMP 720 (commercial materials).