A Study of Kernel Trait Expression among Doubled Haploid Maize Pure Lines

Maize doubled haploid breeding is a rapid method to generate pure elite inbred lines.Two sister inbred lines,BX08 and BX19,both belong to BSSS(Iowa Stiff Stock Synthetic)are used for the study.These two lines have poor agronomic traits,but compensating to each other.Crosses were made between those two lines.The F1 plants were crossed by pollen from haploid induction line carrying purple crown and purple plumule color.A total of 74 ears had at least 1-kenel(D1 seeds)seed set.Among those doubled haploid lines,33 doubled haploid lines had D2 seeds.The D1 ear or D2 seeds were materials and data of ear length,row number,kernel volume,kernel weight,kernel density(weight/volume)were collected.Results indicated that haploid breeding was in favor of kernel volume and kernel weight improvement.Both traits of kernel volume and kernel weight are mainly controlled by additive gene effect.Ear length and row number are most likely controlled by dominant gene effect.Results also indicated that haploid breeding could be very effective to eliminate unfavorable genes due to uncovering those deleterious genes at its haploid phase.Therefore,haploid breeding method can have its selective advantages against poor agronomic genetic traits for seed and plant growth and development.