The effect of cytoplasmatic male sterility on yield and yield components of maize inbred lines

Abstract

Initial studies related to cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were performed by Rhoeds in 1931. CMS is used in maize to enhance efficiency of seed production with simultaneous cost redaction. The majority of studies showed positive effects of CMS on maize grain yield. Grain yields recorded male sterile plants were higher by 5-10% than the ones in female fertile plants. Seven maize inbred lines of different origin and growing season were analysed. Each inbred was analysed in five variants: original inbred (N), CMS-C, RfC, CMS-S and RfS. The aim of this study was to compare grain yields and yield components of original inbreds and their CMS and Rf variants. The highest yields of observed inbreds (5.303 and 5.197 t/ha) were recorded in those with C and S cytoplasm, respectively. According to the LSD test, at significance levels of 0.05 and 0.01, the longest ears of 15.57, 15.56 and 15.46 cm were detected in inbreds with original, S and C cytoplasm, respectively. The highest kernel row number (12.98) at both significance levels was established in inbreds with C cytoplasm. The highest number of kernels per row (33.92) at both levels of significance was recorded in inbreds with S cytoplasm. The greatest kernel depth (0.8212 and 0.8196 cm) at both significance levels was established in inbreds with C and S cytoplasm, respectively. The greatest 1000-kernel weight at both levels of significance was detected in inbreds with normal cytoplasm. The highest number of kernels per m2 (2716 and 2676) was recorded in inbreds with C and S cytoplasm, respectively.