Efficiency of secondary traits in selecting for improved grain yield in extra‐early maize under Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments. Issue 3 (17th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Badu‐Apraku, Baffour; Akinwale, Richard O.; Oyekunle, Muhydeen; Lübberstedt, T.
• Is Part Of: Plant breeding. Volume 133:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2014-02-17
• Subjects: Plant breeding -- Periodicals; 631.52
• DOI: 10.1111/pbr.12163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0179-9541

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="pbr12163-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>A base index involving <italic>Striga</italic> damage, number of emerged <italic>Striga</italic> plants and ears per plant is used for selecting for maize (<italic>Zea mays</italic> L.) grain yield under <italic>Striga</italic> infestation. There are contradictory reports on the reliability of number of emerged <italic>Striga</italic> plants for selecting for <italic>Striga</italic> resistance. The objective of this study was to confirm reliability of the secondary traits for selecting for improved grain yield under <italic>Striga</italic> infestation. Ten <italic>Striga</italic>‐resistant extra‐early cultivars were evaluated for 3 years under artificial <italic>Striga‐</italic>infested and <italic>Striga</italic>‐free environments in Nigeria. Analysis of variance combined across years and locations showed significant mean squares for genotype, year, location and their interactions for most traits. Sequential path analysis identified ear aspect as the only trait with significant direct effect on yield under artificial <italic>Striga</italic> infestation, while GGE biplot confirmed ear aspect, ears per plant and <italic>Striga</italic> damage as the most reliable traits. Ear aspect should be included in the base index for selecting for improved grain yield of extra‐early maize under <italic>Striga</italic> infestation, while the number of emerged <italic>Striga</italic> plants should be excluded.</p> </abstract>