Genetic gain evaluated with selection indices and with REML/Blup in popcorn

Abstract

The objective of this work was to compare four selection indices and the REML/Blup method in the evaluation of the predicted genetic gains for the characteristics of interest to the breeding program of the UENF 14 popcorn. Two hundred full‑sib progenies were evaluated in one season, in two locations (North and Northwest Regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), with two replicates, totaling 800 observations. The characteristics evaluated were average plant height, average height of first ear insertion, final stand, tipping, stem diameter, prolificacy, grain yield and popping expansion. Among the selection indices tested, Mulamba & Mock’s provided the best results for selection of full‑sib progenies. The REML/Blup method proved to be very efficient, selecting progenies with high relative performance and better predicted genetic gains than those of the selection indices tested. The progenies selected using the REML/Blup method, for highest grain yield, are not the same as those selected for higher popping expansion. The Mulamba & Mock index and the REML/Blup method provide the best predicted gains for the UENF 14 population.