Genetic Variance Estimates in Three Corn Belt Varieties of Corn

One of the most outstanding practical applications of hybrid vigor has been in the production of hybrid corn. The production of single, three-way, and double cross corn hybrids is dependent upon the availability and utilization of superior inbred lines of corn. The successful extraction of superior inbred lines from source material such as an open-pollinated variety is dependent upon several factors. Perhaps one of the more important factors is the type of gene action involved and its effect on the breeding system used. This study was designed to estimate the magnitude of additive genetic and dominance variances in three open-pollinated varieties of corn. The results of this study indicate more additive genetic variance than dominance variance in the three varieties. Progress through selection for a character such as yield should be possible. However, additional information is needed concerning estimates of genetic variance in these varieties. Advisor: John H. Lonnquist