Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1984

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Plant Science

First Advisor

Zeno W. Wicks III

Abstract

The economic worth of any individual (plant or animal) is usually dependent on more than one trait. Since there is usually more than one trait involved in selection, a breeder’s problem is determining the relative importance of each of these traits. They must then be placed in some logical order so that the best material is selected for the following generations. Arriving at reasonable economic weights for each trait may be fairly difficult, especially if not much is known about the material one is working with. other factors to consider when selecting within a population are, how heritable the trait is and is it independent of other, less desirable traits. The most efficient selection scheme used is determined by the largest genetic gain per unit of time and effort expended. The objective of this study was to determine the relative efficiency of four selection schemes for simultaneous improvement of six uncorrelated traits in maize. Three modified selection indices were evaluated along with the independent culling method of selection. The traits chosen for improvement by one cycle of recurrent selection were: 1) emergence index, 2) percent emergence, 3) seedling dry weight, 4) resistance to Northern Corn Leaf Blight 5) resistance to Goss' Wilt and 6) resistance to Diplodia stalk rot.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Corn -- Disease and pest resistance
Corn -- Breeding

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

72

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

No Copyright - United State
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Download

Share

COinS