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Evaluation of Recurrent Selection in BSSS, BSCB1, and BS13 Maize Populations¹

A population diallel (including sells) of the C0, C4, and C7 cycles of BSSS(R), BSCB1(R), and BS13(HT) and crosses involving the C5 and C8 cycles of BSSS(R) and BSCB1(R) were used to evaluate effects of recurrent selection for grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.). The response in BSSS(R) and BSCB1(R) was calculated separately for cycles 0–4 and cycles 4–8. Both direct and indirect responses to reciprocal recurrent selection were greater in cycles 4–8 than in the initial cycles, indicating that the use of machine-harvesting and the use of S1 plants in making the testcrosses were effective for increasing machine-harvested grain yields. The response of the population cross to RRS was estimated to be 4.3% per cycle when averaged over all cycles. Estimates of indirect effects (gains in the populations per se), adjusted for the effects of drift, were larger than estimates of direct effects in the BSSS(R) x BSCB1(R) population cross. Mean yield of the BSSS(R)C7 x BSCB1(R)C7 population cross was 87% of the single-cross check B73 x Mo17. Changes in other agronomic characters were generally in the desired direction with the exception of grain moisture. It was concluded that recurrent selection was effective for increasing grain yield and improving other agronomic characters in population crosses, but effects of drift due to small population size were evident in the populations per se.

Key Words: Zea mays L. • Direct and indirect response • Population cross diallel • Inbreeding

² Research geneticist, USDA.

Received for publication September 8, 1981.