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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #99814
Title: POTENTIAL USE OF CHINESE CORN GERMPLASM IN NORTH AMERICA

Author
item ZHU, XIAOYANG - AGRIC & AGRI-FOOD CANADA
item REID, LANA - AGRIC & AGRI-FOOD CANADA
item Darrah, Larry

Submitted to: Northeastern and Southern Corn Improvement Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/12/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Corn breeding began in 1950 in China. The first single-cross hybrid was developed in the early 1960s. By 1995, 263 single-cross hybrids covered 95% of the corn production area (24 million hectares). Forty-Six of the most widely used inbreds in these hybrids were from 10 inbred line families. Lancaster inbreds were used in 66 hybrids, while the Reid/BSSS inbreds were eused in 28 hybrids. Three important Chinese inbred families were used: Tang 4 Pingtou (43 hybrids), Luda Red Cob (16 hybrids), and Northeastern Dent (15 hybrids). Lancaster x Luda Red Cob, Lancaster x Tang 4 Pintou, and Reid/BSSS x Tang 4 Pingtou were three of the most widely adapted heterotic patterns in China. To determine the potential for use of Chinese corn germplasm in North America, eight Chinese inbreds were obtained from the University of Missouri and two from the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station in Ames, IA. Crosses (150 total) were made with six U.S. inbreds and 17 Canadian inbreds or synthetics. Yield tests were carried out near Columbia and Novelty, MO, in 1996 and 1997, and the Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Center, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in 1998. The crosses of Mo17 x CHN2, CHN3, CHN4, CHN5, and CHN6 were not as good as Pioneer Brand 3394. The yield of Huang 417 (Mo17 x CHN2), however, was better than that of B73 x Mo17 in Missouri in 1997. Mo17 x CHN2 and Mo17 x CHN4 showed better yield stability in Missouri than other hybrids. Most Chinese inbreds have large diameter ears, so the longer-eared North American inbreds should be complimentary in hybrids. All Chinese inbreds were late maturing in Ottawa. Introgressing early Canadian germplasm into those Chinese inbreds will be necessary before usage in Canada.