ABSTRACT. Popcorn (Zea mays L. everta) is a specialty crop with a higher aggregate economic value than that of common maize. In Brazil, national literature is still incipient and contradictory in terms of plant population management and water requirements. Furthermore, the interaction between these factors has not been reported, despite the increasing cultivation of popcorn. The objective of this trial was to determine whether agricultural traits and popping expansion from hybrid IAC 125 could be affected by plant density and levels of irrigation water, in addition to determining the significance level of the interaction between both factors. We investigated five plant populations (40,000, 55,000, 70,000, 85,000, and 100,000 plants ha-1) and five different levels of water depth in 2014/2015 [574.86 (without supplementary irrigation), 609.86, 644.86, 679.86 (control), and 714.86 mm] and 2015/2016 [857.4 (without supplementary irrigation), 867.26, 886.60, 916.78 (control), and 959.81 mm] using a complete block design with split-plot, comprising a main plot (for plant populations) and subplot (for water depth), with six replicates for each set. We found increasing linear effects from grain yield under population density and levels of water depth, but this interaction was not significant. Moreover, the popping expansion for the main effects and the interaction between plant populations and water depth, were not significant. ABSTRACT Zea L everta maize Brazil requirements Furthermore reported popcorn 12 40,000, 40000 40 000 (40,000 55000 55 55,000 70000 70 70,000 85000 85 85,000 100000 100 100,00 ha1 ha 1 ha-1 20142015 2014 2015 2014/201 574.86 57486 574 86 [574.8 without irrigation, , irrigation) 60986 609 609.86 64486 644 644.86 67986 679 679.8 control, control (control) 71486 714 714.8 mm 20152016 2016 2015/201 857.4 8574 857 4 [857. 86726 867 26 867.26 88660 886 60 886.60 91678 916 78 916.7 95981 959 81 959.8 splitplot, splitplot split plot, split-plot depth) set significant Moreover 40,000 4000 00 (40,00 5500 5 55,00 7000 7 70,00 8500 8 85,00 10000 10 100,0 ha- 2014201 201 2014/20 574.8 5748 57 [574. 6098 609.8 6448 64 644.8 6798 67 679. (control 7148 71 714. 2015201 2015/20 857. [857 8672 2 867.2 8866 88 6 886.6 9167 91 916. 9598 95 959. 40,00 400 0 (40,0 550 55,0 700 70,0 850 85,0 1000 100, 201420 20 2014/2 574. [574 609. 644. 201520 2015/2 [85 867. 886. 9 40,0 (40, 55, 70, 85, 20142 2014/ [57 20152 2015/ [8 40, (40 [5 [ (4 (

ABSTRACT. The Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the most deleterious pests of popcorn and the identification of resistant genotypes is determinant in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to select popcorn genotypes resistant to S. frugiperda and the key traits related to the identification of resistance. The popcorn varieties UEM J1, Composto Márcia, Arachida, Composto Gaúcho, and Zapalote Chico (resistant check) were evaluated in a completely randomized design with 100 replications. The experimental unit consisted of one Petri dish, containing plant material and a caterpillar The following traits were evaluated: larval stage duration (LSt), food intake weight(IW), final larva weight (FW), mean larva weight (MW), feces (F), assimilated (A) and metabolized food weight (M), relative consumption rate (RCR), relative metabolic rate (RMR), relative growth rate (RGR), conversion efficiency of ingested food (CEI), apparent digestibility (AD), conversion efficiency of digested food (CED), and leaf area consumed (LAC). The diagnosis of multicollinearity, analysis of canonical variables, genetic divergence, hierarchical clustering, factor analysis and canonical correspondence analysis were carried out to perform multivariate analysis. After the multicollinearity test, the traits FW, IW, RCR, AD, and LAC were maintained for further analysis. The traits IW, FW and AD were determinant in the resistance by antixenosis expressed by the varieties Zapalote Chico and Arachida, for the varieties Composto Gaúcho and Composto Márcia the determining characteristics were RCR and LAC and for the variety UEM J1 the variable LAC showed greater importance. Variety Arachida was considered resistant to S. frugiperda by antixenosis and can be used in the future as a source of favorable alleles to breed resistant popcorn hybrids. The traits relative consumption rate, apparent digestibility and leaf area consumed were considered key traits in the identification of resistance against S. frugiperda in popcorn genotypes. ABSTRACT programs S J check 10 replications dish LSt, LSt , (LSt) weightIW, weightIW IW weight(IW) (FW) MW, MW (MW) F, F (F) A (A M, M (M) (RCR) RMR, RMR (RMR) RGR, RGR (RGR) CEI, CEI (CEI) (AD) CED, CED (CED) LAC. . (LAC) variables divergence clustering test importance hybrids 1 (LSt weight(IW (FW (MW (F (M (RCR (RMR (RGR (CEI (AD (CED (LAC

Abstract This study aimed to apply, in unprecedented depth, a Bayesian approach to the non-linear regression model developed by Toler for evaluating the stability and adaptability of genotypes. Twenty-five soybean cultivars were evaluated in twenty-one plots across the midwestern of Brazil. A complete block design was employed, with three replications. The evaluated variable was grain yield. The proposed methodology was implemented in the R program by means of the BRugs package. The methodology was capable of differentiating the effect of the environment on soybean cultivars in terms of yield in the different environments, allowing exploration of the response of each genotype to environmental variations. Cultivars 6266RSF, NS6990, GD19I435, GD19I439, GD19C443, RC0496 and IA18661 presented good stability and general adaptability, being the most recommended for future evaluations. The other cultivars presented specific adaptability and high responsiveness to unfavorable environments. apply depth nonlinear non linear genotypes Twentyfive Twenty five twentyone twenty one Brazil employed replications package environments variations 6266RSF RSF NS6990 NS GD19I435 GDI GD I GD19I439 GD19C443 GDC C RC RC049 IA IA1866 evaluations NS699 GD19I43 GD19C44 RC04 IA186 NS69 GD19I4 GD19C4 RC0 IA18 NS6 GD19I GD19C IA1

RESUMO: A análise dos principais efeitos aditivos e interação multiplicativa é comumente utilizada na avaliação da interação genótipo x ambiente, porém, sua aplicação pode ser estendida para outros propósitos assim como realizado no presente trabalho em que utiliza esta técnica na seleção de linhagens, testadores e híbridos em topcrosses de milho. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito da interação linhagens x testadores por meio da análise dos principais efeitos aditivos e da interação multiplicativa, verificando sua eficiência na seleção de linhagens, testadoras e combinações híbridas em topcrosses. Os ensaios foram realizados nas safras 2015/16 e 2016/17, com delineamento em blocos completos, com três repetições. Trinta linhagens de milho S3 foram avaliadas em cruzamentos com os testadores AG8025, P30B39, MLP102, 60.H23.1 e 70.H26.1 formando 150 topcrosses híbridos. A característica avaliada foi a produtividade de grãos. A adaptabilidade e estabilidade de testadores e linhagens foram avaliadas pela metodologia de análise de efeitos aditivos principais e interação multiplicativa direcionada à interação testadores x linhagens. A linhagem 96.3 apresentou o desempenho mais homogêneo e o maior rendimento de grãos, considerando o cruzamento com todos os testadores em ambos os ambientes. O testador 70.H26.1 é considerado o mais estável e o mais recomendado para topcrosses. As melhores combinações específicas foram 96.3 x 70.H26.1 e 96.3 x 60.H23.1.

ABSTRACT: The analysis of main additive effects and multiplicative interaction is commonly used in the evaluation of the genotype x environment interaction, however, its application can be used for other purposes, as it is performed in the presentresearch, which uses this technique in the selection of inbred lines, testers and hybrids in maize topcrosses. Thisresearch determined the effect of the inbred lines x testers interaction through the analysis of main additive effects and multiplicative interaction, verifying their efficiency in the selection of inbred lines, testers and hybrid combinations in topcrosses. The trials were carried out in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 crop seasons, with a complete block design, with three replications. Thirty S3 maize inbred lines were evaluated in crosses with the AG8025, P30B39, MLP102, 60.H23.1 and 70.H26.1 testers forming 150 hybrids topcrosses. The trait evaluated was grain yield. The adaptability and stability of testers and inbred lines were evaluated by the methodology of analysis of main additive effects and multiplicative interaction directed to the interaction of testers x inbred lines. The 96.3 inbred line has the most homogeneous performance and the highest grain yield, considering the crossing with all testers in both environments. The 70.H26.1 tester is considered the most stable and the most recommended for topcrosses. The best specific combinations were 96.3 x 70.H26.1 and 96.3 x 60.H23.1.

ABSTRACT Super sweet corn breeding must develop hybrids that fully meet the expectations of the market. In this sense, the determination of keytraits for the selection of sweetcorn genotypes is a fundamental condition for breeding success. The objective of this work was to identify key traits for the selection of promising and contrasting genotypes of super sweet corn. The experiments were carried out in Guarapuava (PR), in two sowing dates. Seventeen traits related to the yield and quality of the ear were evaluated. To perform the multivariate analysis, data were subjected to diagnosis of multicolinearity, analysis of canonical variables, genetic divergence, hierarchical clusters, factor analysis, and canonical correspondence analysis. Grain yield, yield of dehusked ears, and number of commercial ears were considered related key traits in the identification of promising super sweet corn genotypes. Hybrid D3-20 × D5-41 presented higher averages than the others, considering the yield related keytraits.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis and test its efficiency in summarizing the heterogeneous data of heritability estimates for the traits of grain yield (GY) and popping expansion (PE), and to provide reliable estimates of selection gains in popcorn. Therefore, 97 heritability estimates (ĥ 2) for popcorn GY and PE in the broad and narrow sense were used. The main procedures underlying the estimation of the combined heritability (ĥ 2 + ) using the technique of meta-analysis consisted of i) an exploratory analysis of the set of heritability estimates to detect outliers using a box-plot chart, ii) the verification of the required statistical assumptions, iii) testing the involved heritability estimates for homogeneity, and iv) the calculation of the estimates of combined heritability. The meta-analysis facilitated the synthesis of the information pertaining to heritability in popcorn. The combined heritability estimates (ĥ 2 + ) in the broad sense for GY and PE were 0.5208 ± 0.0229 and 0.6356 ± 0.0209, respectively, and in the narrow sense were 0.3290 ± 0.0292 and 0.3083 ± 0.0298, respectively.

RESUMO A análise da divergência genética entre testadores e progênies associada à capacidade de combinação e parâmetros genéticos pode auxiliar na seleção de testadores para a avaliação do rendimento de grãos e características forrageiras em cruzamentos topcrosses, uma vez que são raros os testadores adequados para ambos os propósitos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar testadores adequados para a avaliação do rendimento de grãos e de características forrageiras em topcrosses com progênies S3 de milho com base na associação entre divergência genética, capacidade geral de combinação e parâmetros genéticos. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nas safras 2015/16 e 2016/17 em Guarapuava-PR. Foram avaliados 150 cruzamentos topcrosses entre 30 progênies S3 de milho e cinco testadores (os híbridos AG8025 e P30B39, as linhagens 60.H23.1 e 70.H26.1, e a mistura de linhagens MLP102). As características avaliadas foram altura de planta e de espiga, rendimento de grãos, rendimento de massa seca da forragem, teores de fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido e digestibilidade in situ da forragem. Não houve um único testador adequado para selecionar progênies quanto ao rendimento de grãos e características forrageiras simultaneamente. O testador 70.H26.1 é o mais recomendado para distinguir as progênies quanto ao rendimento de grãos. O testador 60.H23.1 é o mais recomendado para avaliar as características forrageiras das progênies. Não houve correlação linear entre divergência genética, capacidade geral de combinação dos testadores e parâmetros genéticos.

ABSTRACT Genetic divergence analysis among testers and progenies and the correlation of genetic distance with combining ability can be an important alternative to select maize progenies regarding grain yield and forage potential since testers suitable to both purposes are rare.The objective of this work was to select testers suitable for the evaluation of grain yield and forage traits is topcrosses with S3 progenies of maize based on the association between genetic divergence, general combining ability and genetic parameters. The experiments were carried out in the 2015/16 and 2016/17crop seasons in Guarapuava-PR. We evaluated 150 topcrosses among 30 S3 progenies and testers five testers (single hybrids AG8025 and P30B39, the elite inbred lines 60.H23.1 and 70.H26.1, and a mixture of inbred lines MLP102), The evaluated traits were plant height, ear height, grain yield, dry mass yield, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber andforage in situ digestibility. There was not a single suitable tester regarding grain yield and forage traitssimultaneously. The 70.H26.1 tester is the most recommended for grain yield. The 60.H23.1 tester is the most recommended for forage traits. There was not linear correlation between genetic divergence, general combining ability and genetic parameters.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar genótipos de milho (Zea mays) com potencial forrageiro e avaliar a eficiência dos testadores em discriminar características forrageiras em cruzamentos topcrosses, ao se considerar a contribuição de genes aditivos e não aditivos. O experimento foi conduzido nas safras de 2015/2016 e 2016/2017, no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Avaliaram-se 30 progênies S3 de milho em cruzamentos topcrosses com os testadores AG8025, P30B39, MLP102, 60.H23.1 e 70.H26.1. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: produtividade de massa seca da forragem, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e degradabilidade da massa seca da forragem. As progênies 205.2, 159.6 e 199.2, nessa ordem, apresentaram o melhor desempenho para potencial forrageiro. Os testadores 60.H23.1 e 70.H26.1 melhor expressaram a variabilidade genética existente entre as progênies. Para todas as características nas duas safras, há o predomínio da ação de genes de efeitos não aditivos.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify corn (Zea mays) genotypes with forage potential and to evaluate the efficiency of testers to discriminate forage traits in topcrosses, considering the contribution of additive and nonadditive genes. The experiment was carried out in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 crop seasons, in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Thirty S3 corn progenies were evaluated in topcrosses with the AG8025, P30B39, MLP102, 60.H23.1, and 70.H26.1 testers. The following traits were assessed: forage dry mass yield, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and forage dry mass degradability. Progenies 205.2, 159.6, and 199.2, in this order, presented the best performance for forage potential. Testers 60.H23.1 and 70.H26.1 better expressed the genetic variability between progenies. For all traits in both crop seasons, there is a predominance of the action of genes of nonadditive effects.

RESUMO A exploração da variabilidade genética existente para características fisiológicas relacionadas com a produtividade e a qualidade da forragem de milho pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de linhagens e híbridos superiores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade geral e específica de combinação e a natureza dos efeitos genicos de características fisiológicas e químicas de genótipos de milho forrageiro. Foram avaliados dois grupos de genótipos e 16 híbridos resultantes dos cruzamentos em esquema de dialelo parcial 4x4. O grupo I foi constituído por dois híbridos comerciais (AG8025, P30B39) e duas linhagens elite (LEM2 e LEM3). O grupo II foi constituído por quatro linhagens experimentais oriundas de diferentes populações do programa de melhoramento do milho forrageiro da UNICENTRO. No total foram avaliados 24 tratamentos, constituídos pelos genótipos de ambos os grupos e os respectivos cruzamentos. As características avaliadas foram assimilação de CO2 (A), condutância estomática (gs), concentração interna de CO2 (Ci), transpiração (E), atividade calculada da Rubisco (A/Ci) e eficiência de uso da água (A/E). Foram obtidos os teores de fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e a digestibilidade in situ da forragem. Houve predomínio de efeitos gênicos não aditivos para a maioria das características químicas e fisiológicas. Os cruzamentos LEM2 x 203-218,3, LEM3 x 201-107,2, LEM2 x 101-7,2 e LEM3 x 101-7,2 se destacaram quanto à assimilação de CO2, sendo indicados para pesquisas futuras considerando as características fisiológicas. As linhagens 101-7.2 e 203-218.3 apresentaram alta concentração de alelos favoráveis para aumentar a eficiência da carboxilação, em que a linhagem 101-7.2 se destacou para NDF, ADF e DIG. A linhagem endogâmica 201-107.2 possui alta concentração de alelos favoráveis para eficiência do uso da água. Parâmetros fisiológicos podem auxiliar na seleção de linhagens e híbridos no melhoramento do milho forrageiro.

ABSTRACT The exploitation of the existing genetic variability for the physiological traits related to the yield and quality of maize forage can assist in the development of superior inbred lines and hybrids. The objective of this work was to evaluate the general and the specific combining ability and the nature of gene effects of physiological and chemical traits of forage maize genotypes. Two groups of genotypes and 16 hybrids resulting from a 4x4 partial diallel scheme were evaluated. Group I consisted of two commercial hybrids (AG8025, P30B39) and two elite inbred lines (LEM2 and LEM3). Group II consisted of four experimental inbred lines originated from different populations of forage maize breeding program. In total, 24 treatments were evaluated, formed by the genotypes of both groups and the respective crossings. The traits evaluated were: CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), internal CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration (E), calculated activity of Rubisco (A/Ci) and efficiency of water use (A/E). Forage acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and digestibility in situ were obtained. There was a predominance of non-additive gene effects for most of the chemical and physiological traits. Crossings LEM2 x 203-218.3, LEM3 x 201-107.2, LEM2 x 101-7.2 and LEM3 x 101-7.2 stood out regarding CO2 assimilation, and are indicated for future research considering the physiological traits. Inbred lines 101-7.2 and 203-218.3 presented high concentration of favorable alleles to increase carboxylation efficiency, in which inbred line 101-7.2 stood out for NDF, ADF and DIG. Inbred line 201-107.2 has a high concentration of favorable alleles for efficiency of water use. Physiological parameters can assist the selection of inbred lines and hybrids in maize breeding for forage purpose.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho produtivo, a adaptabilidade e a estabilidade de híbridos topcross de milho (Zea mays) em nove ambientes no Brasil, para selecionar linhagens, testadores e combinações híbridas promissoras para esses ambientes na segunda safra. Os experimentos foram instalados durante a segunda safra de 2017, em seis localidades no estado do Paraná e três no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Foram avaliados 66 híbridos simples, compostos por 33 linhagens cruzadas com 2 testadores. A estabilidade dos genótipos foi avaliada pelo método de Schmidt & Cruz e pela metodologia “additive main effects and multiplicative interaction” (AMMI). Também foram estimados os parâmetros genéticos e a capacidade geral de combinação dos testadores. O testador 2 é o mais adaptado para discriminar as linhagens em ambientes de segunda safra. As linhagens 12, 21, 23 e 32 são recomendadas para a obtenção de híbridos para cultivo na segunda safra, devido à sua boa adaptabilidade e estabilidade e ao seu alto rendimento nos cruzamentos em que participaram. Os híbridos HS123, HS223 e HS232 apresentam o melhor desempenho e são os mais recomendados para ambientes de segunda safra.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield performance, adaptability, and stability of corn (Zea mays) topcross hybrids in nine environments in Brazil, in order to select inbred lines, testers, and promising hybrid combinations for these environments in the second crop season. The trials were carried out during the second crop season of 2017, in six sites in the state of Paraná and three in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Sixty-six single-cross hybrids, made up of 33 inbred lines crossed with two testers, were evaluated. The stability of the genotypes was assessed by the Schmidt & Cruz method and by the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) methodology. In addition, the genetic parameters and the general combining ability of the testers were estimated. Tester 2 is the most adapted to discriminate inbred lines in the second-crop environments. Inbred lines 12, 21, 23, and 32 are recommended for obtaining hybrids to be cultivated in the second crop season due to their good adaptability and stability and high yield in the crosses in which they participated. The HS123, HS223, and HS232 hybrids present the best performance and are the most recommended for the second-crop environments.