Xenia effects of several maize cultivars on 100-grain weight of Guidan 0810

ObjectiveThe xenia effects of different maize cultivars on 100-grain weight of Guidan 0810 was stud-ied in order to lay the foundation on enhancing yield potential of Guidan 0810 . MethodWith randomized completed block design ( RCBD ) , 8 maize cultivars were used as male parent to cross with maize cultivar Guidan 0810 . Mean-while, self- and sib-pollination were conducted on all the 9 maize cultivars, respectively. After harvesting, the 100-grain weight(HGW) of self-, sib-, cross-pollination cobs was measured, respectively. ResultThere existed varying degrees differences in HGW between self- and sib-pollination cob for the same cultivar. The self-pollination HGW of two cultivars viz., Yahang 639 and Pacific 98 were 5.47% and 5.36% higher than that of sib-pollination(P<0.01), respectively. The self-pollination HGW of Chenyu 969 , Guidan 0810 and Dekarl 008 were increased by 0.35%-2.64%as compared to their sib-pollination. The self-pollination HGW of other varieties were decreased by 0.19%-2.11% as compared to sib-pollination. All the 8 maize cultivars showed the positive xenia effect and could enhance the HGW of Guidan 0810. Out of which, 5 cultivars viz., Zhengda 808, Pacific 98, Xianda 901, Chenyu 969 and Yahang 639, could extremely significantly increase the HGW of Guidan 0810. The F0 heterosis(1.31%-12.70%) was found in HWG among different crossing combinations of Guidan 0810 , and mid-parent heterosis were found in 7 crossing com-binations. The combination Guidan 0810×Zhengda 808 presented the best heterosis, its HWG was 12.70% and 15.68%higher than that of female parent Guidan 0810 and male parent Zhengda 808 , and the mid-parent heterosis was found the highest (14.17%).ConclusionMaize cultivar Guidan 0810 could easily fertilize with pollen grains from external maize cultivars. Its grain weight could be increased resulting from xenia effect , and showed the F0 heterosis and hetero-beltiosis; this xenia effect was depended on male parent genotype.