Abstract: The embryo, endosperm and cytoplasm effects of five seed traits were studied by genetic model for diploid embryo and triploid endosperm plant seeds using five inbreds and their F₁, F₂, BC₁ and BC₂ generations. The estimates of genetic variance components indicated that the inheritance of all other kernel traits were controlled by the four effects otherwise kernel width. Endosperm and maternal effects were the main ones for 100-kernel weight, and the maternal one for kernel length, the endosperm one for kernel width and kernel thick. Except for the significant orhighly significant covariances between the endosperm direct additive and maternal additive effects for 100-kernel weight, all other ones between the embryo or endosperm direct effect and the maternal one were not significant. So, maize inbreds could be developed by direct selection based on maternal plants for these traits. In the corn breeding forhigh kernel weight, similar selection result could be obtained using the 100-kernel weight of any ear part as selection criteria, and direct selection for types withhigh kernel width could make it easier to obtain genetic materials withhigh kernel weight. S₂₂ was the best inbred for the improvement for kernel weight in this study.

Key words: Normal maize, Seed trait, Genetic variance and covariance, Genetic correlation, Genetic effects

CLC Number: 

• S513.032