Inheritance of seed quality traits and concentrations of zinc and iron in maize topcross hybrids

Information about the mode of inheritance of maize ( Zea mays L.) seed quality traits is crucial in planning for improvement programmes for such traits. The objective study was to determine mode of inheritance and interrelationships between seed quality traits, and Fe and Zn contents in maize. Twenty-six maize genotypes were considered for evaluation in this study. Additive gene action was prevalent for most seed quality traits (>50%); while non-additive gene action was preponderant for Fe and Zn concentrations. Inbreds TZEEI82 and TZEEI64 were outstanding in terms of GCA male effects for conductivity (-0.13** and -0.06*), root number (0.79** and 0.30*), and root fresh weight (0.90*). Genotypes TZEEI81, DTE-STR-Y-SYN-POP-C3, 2009-TZEEI-OR1-STR and 2009-TZEE-OR1-STR-QPM were identified as excellent pollen parents for Fe concentration; and TZEEI58 and TZEEI64 for Zn concentration. In addition, only germination index had a significant additive genetic relationship with Fe content (r=0.57*); while both shoot fresh and dry weights had significant positive correlations with Zn content (r=0.45*, 0.53*). Overall, it is clear that different modes of gene action control inheritance of seed quality traits and Fe and Zn concentrations.L\u2018 information sur le mode de transmission des caract\ue8res de qualit\ue9 des semences de ma\uefs ( Zea mays L.) est cruciale dans la planification d\u2019un programme d\u2019am\ue9lioration de ces caract\ue8res. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer le mode d\u2019h\ue9r\ue9dit\ue9 et les relations entre les caract\ue8res de qualit\ue9 des semences et les teneurs en Fe et Zn du ma\uefs. Vingt-six g\ue9notypes de ma\uefs ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9s pour les caract\ue8res de qualit\ue9 des semences ainsi que pour les teneurs en Fe et Zn. L\u2019action des g\ue8nes additifs \ue9tait pr\ue9dominante pour la plupart des caract\ue8res de qualit\ue9 des semences (> 50%); tandis que l\u2019action g\ue9nique non additive \ue9tait pr\ue9pond\ue9rante pour les concentrations de Fe et de Zn. Les consanguines TZEEI82 et TZEEI64 ont \ue9t\ue9 remarquables en termes d\u2019effets GCA m\ue2les pour la conductivit\ue9 (-0,13 ** et -0,06 *), le nombre de racines (0,79 ** et 0,30 *) et le poids des racines fra\ueeches (0,90 *). Les g\ue9notypes TZEEI81, DTE-STR-Y-SYN-POP-C3, 2009-TZEEI-OR1-STR et 2009-TZEE-OR1-STR-QPM ont \ue9t\ue9 identifi\ue9s comme d\u2019excellents parents de pollen pour la concentration de Fe; et TZEEI58 et TZEEI64 pour la concentration de Zn. De plus, seul l\u2019indice de germination avait une relation g\ue9n\ue9tique additive significative avec la teneur en Fe (r = 0,57 *); tandis que les poids frais et secs des pousses avaient des corr\ue9lations positives significatives avec la teneur en Zn (r = 0,45 *, 0,53 *). Dans l\u2019ensemble, il est clair que diff\ue9rents modes d\u2019action g\ue9nique contr\uf4laient l\u2019h\ue9r\ue9dit\ue9 des caract\ue8res de qualit\ue9 des semences et des concentrations de Fe et Zn