GENETIC-VARIATION IN MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS-L) FOR GERMINATION AND EMERGENCE AT 10-DEGREES-C

Full-sib, paternal half-sib and S1 families were derived from a population of maize, Pool 5, with a wide germplasm base. These families were used to study genetic variation for germination percentage, emergence percentage and time to emergence at 10°C. Genotypic variances were large for all characters, and the best families from the population were markedly superior to hybrids used as checks. Maternal effects appeared to be of overwhelming importance for germination percentage, but variances due to males were significant for emergence percentage and time to emergence. Inbreeding depression at the seedling level was also important for these two emergence characters. Germination and emergence characters were not correlated with seed weight. We concluded that Pool 5 should be a valuable source of genes for improving germination and emergence of maize at low temperatures. © 1979 H. Veenman En Zonen B.V.