General and specific combining ability estimates for pith cell death in stalk internodes of maize

Abstract Stalk rot and associated stalk lodging in maize ( Zea mays L.) continue to be major production problems. The inheritance of several stalk traits that contribute to stalk strength has been studied previously. However, inheritance of pith (parenchyma) cell death, an important stalk quality trait, has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study was to estimate general and specific combining ability effects for pith cell death through a diallel mating design. All possible crosses among six inbred lines (C103, Mo17, B14A, W64A, Wf9, and B37) were evaluated at two locations and analyzed according to Griffing's method 2, model 1 (fixed effects for genotypes). General combining ability effects were found to be more important than specific combining ability effects. Heritability of F 1 hybrid means was estimated to be 86%. A cyclic selection program might be effective in reducing pith cell death. A reduction in pith cell death would result in stalk-rot resistance which is positively correlated to the presence of living cells in the stalk.