Genetic parameter estimates and identification of superior white maize populations

In Brazil, there is a shortage of white maize cultivars and genetic studies for special maize breeding programs. This study aimed to identify populations and promising hybrid white maize for main agronomic traits and grits processing and to estimate the genetic parameters of parents and heterosis. In the 2012/13 growing season, fifteen hybrids were obtained by complete diallel crosses, and six parental and commercial check varieties were evaluated for: female flowering (FF), ear height (EH), grain yield (GY), ear length (EL), volumetric mass (VM) and grits processing (GP) in two locations in Sao Paulo State, Campinas and Mococa, using a randomized block design. Analyses of variance were carried out, and diallel crosses were performed using the Gardner and Eberhart model. The populations P3 and P6 stood out because of the estimated effects of the parents and of heterosis; the studied characters are promising for obtaining new lines and forming composites. For GP, the treatments showed no differences, implying the need to introduce new sources of germplasm.