Inheritance of inorganic and phytic phosphorus in maize (Zea mays l.) Kernel

Abstract

A set of fifteen elite inbred lines of maize (used as mothers) and three tester inbred lines (used as fathers) were investigated using line x tester statistical model, including both hybrids and inbreds. Four traits were measured: grain yield, 1000 kernel weight, phytic phosphorus (Pphy) and inorganic phosphorus (P-i) in the kernel. P-phy content among hybrids ranged from 2.342 to 4.812 g kg(-1) and P-i content from 0.562 to 2.340 g kg(-1), while among inbreds (lines and testers) they ranged from 2.503 to 4.180 g kg(-1) and from 0.587 to 1.629 g kg(-1), respectively. Correlations between the four traits allow breeding for high P, and low Pphy, as well as for both high P-i and phytate, without compromising grain yield. Correlation for hybrids between P-phy and P-i was 0.185 (p lt 0.05) and for inbreds 0.142 (non-significant). General combining ability / special combining ability (GCA/SCA) values for all the traits were below 1 (very low) indicated non-additive inheritance. In the investigated set of genotypes, multiple selection indices should be used for simultaneous improvement of grain yield and phosphorus profile of maize grain.