INHERITANCE STUDIES OF LOW-PHOSPHORUS TOLERANCE IN MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS L), GROWN IN A SAND-ALUMINA CULTURE-MEDIUM

Inbred lines of maize selected as tolerant and intolerant to low-P stress using a sand-alumina culture medium were used to obtain F1 hybrids and advanced generations to be evaluated in diallel mating schemes and generation means analyses for the inheritance studies. Sand-alumina, a solid culture medium, which simulates a slow release, diffusion-limited P movement in soil solution was used in the inheritance studies. Tolerance to low-P stress conditions in maize seedlings is controlled largely by additive gene effects, but dominance is also important.