ANÁLISE QUANTITATIVA DA SELEÇÃO ENVOLVENDO PROGÉNIES DE MILHO (ZEA MAYS L.) EM SOLOS SOB CERRADO E FÉRTIL.

This paper reports resulta from the evaluation of half-sib progenies of the maize variety BR 108 in soils under "cerrado" and fertile. Estimates of the additive genetic variance showed that the genetic variability in the "cerrado" for ear weight was smaller than that in the fertile soil. The genetic variability in the "cerrado" was null for prolificacy. Estimates ofthe genotype x environment interaction were negligible for plant and ear height, days tasseling and prolificacy. Genotype x environment interaction was high for ear weight, with low genetic correlation between progeny means at the two environments. The genetic gains showed that for ear weight the indirect (selection in one environment and response in another) presents low efEciency. Aiming to obtain gains in lhe "cerrado", lhe selec- tion must be practised in lhe "cerrado" or in lhe average of lhe two environments. To enhance lhe mean productivity lhe best alternative is to select on lhe average of lhe two environments or on the fertile when is not possible to test lhe progenies in lhe two environments. For plant and ear height and days to tasseling, the selection can be practised in any environment. For prolificacy, selection is possible only in lhe fertile soils. Index ternis: genotype x environment interaction, genetic parameters, acid soils, selection response.