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Observed and Expected Response in Four Selection Experiments in Maize¹

Full-sib family selection is being conducted in three populations of maize; viz. a hybrid population derived from a cross of inbred lines and two populations which are open-pollinated varieties. Reciprocal recurrent selection is being conducted in the crossbred of the varieties. The results of the first several cycles of selection are compared with expectations based on estimates of variances.

There is good agreement between observed and expected selection response of the primary trait, yield, in three of the four experiments. Number of ears per plant showed a reasonably consistent increase associated with selection for high yield. Correlated responses of two other traits, ear height and days to tassel, were less consistent and generally in poor agreement with expectation.

Reciprocal recurrent selection for crossbred performance and full-sib family selection for purebred performance were compared in their effectiveness for improving both purebred and crossbred performance. After 3 cycles of selection, it appears that full-sib family selection was at least as effective as reciprocal recurrent selection in improving crossbred performance.

² Professor of Genetics and Professor of Genetics and Administrative Dean for Research, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Received for publication January 3, 1966.