The brachytic-2 gene effect in maize improved populations of reduced height plants

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the results of ten characteristics of reduced height plants, homozygotes to brachytic-2 gene of 18 corn (Zea mays L.) improved populations in four different locations in the year 1982/1983 and 1983/1984. The analysis revealed: the mean grain yield dent corn Piranão VD2 group was 5.7% higher than of flint corn Piranão VF1 group and 96% of that of the commercial hybrids grain yield while the flint corn group was 89% only. The Piranão interpopulational crosses average heterosis was 11.4% superior to the parental mean and 9.4% higher than that of the most productive parental. The plant height mean was 163 cm and ear height/plant height index was 0.51. The plant ear and the ear row grains mean number were 0.98 and 12.95, respectively. The tassel developmental was of 73.31 days. The lodging and broken plants were 8.54 and 7.86%, respectively. Positive and significant correlations were observed among grain yield and plant height and tassel branched number only.