Summary
Photosynthesis is a trait that should be improved in a selection program for yield potential of maize (Zea mays L.). We measured leaf CO2-exchange rate (CER), an estimate of photosynthetic efficiency, of a complete diallel (parents, F1 crosses, and their reciprocals) among eight inbred lines (4 with low and 4 with high CER) from the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic maize population. Measurements were made during vegetative (CER 1) and grain filling (CER 2) stages of growth, and the experiment was conducted two years at one location. We measured large differences among crosses and significant heterosis for high CER at CER 1 (0.0 to 25.1%) and CER 2 (0.0 to 53.8%). Several crosses exhibited overdominant phenotypes for high CER at both growth stages, and one cross showed significant overdominance for low CER at CER 1. General combining ability effects (gca) were the largest components of among-cross variation at both CER 1 and CER 2. Specific combining ability (sca) also was significant at both growth stages, but gca effects were 9.4 and 4.8 times larger than sca effects at CER 1 and CER 2, respectively. Furthermore, high CER lines showed positive gca effects, and low CER lines showed negative gca effects at each stage. Maternal and reciprocal effects were not significant; thus, CER in these crosses was controlled largely by additive effects of nuclear genes. A high positive genotypic correlation (r=0.74) between CER 1 and CER 2 suggested that selection at either growth stage would improve CER throughout the growing season.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Crosbie T. M., J. J.Mock & R. B.Pearce, 1977. Variability and selection advance for photosynthesis in Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic maize population. Crop Sci. 17: 511–514.
Dorovskaya I. F., 1963. Formation and photosynthetic activity of assimilating surface of inbred and hybrid corn. Sov. Plant Physiol. 9: 506–509. [Engl. Transl. Fiziol. Rast.]
Fousova S. & N.Avratovscukova, 1967. Hybrid vigour and photosynthetic rate of leaf disks in Zea mays L. Photosynthetica 1: 3–12.
Fousova S. & N.Avratovscukova, 1973. Nonadditive components of genetic variance in rate of photosynthesis of leaf discs, and ways of detecting them. Acta Univ. Agric. Brno, A. 21: 251–261.
Griffing B., 1956. Concept of general and specific combining ability in relation to diallel crossing systems. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 9: 463–493.
Hanway, J. J., 1971. How a corn plant develops. Iowa Coop. Ext. Serv. Spec. Rep. 48 (rev.).
Heichel G. H. & R. B.Musgrave, 1969. Varietal differences in net photosynthesis of Zea mays L. Crop Sci. 9: 483–486.
Hesketh J. D. & D. N.Moss, 1963. Variation in the response of photosynthesis to light. Crop Sci. 3: 107–110.
Hiesey W. H., N. A.Nobs & O.Bjorkman, 1966. Photosynthetic rates on Mimulus races and hybrid derivatives. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Year Book 66: 214–216.
Izhar, S., 1966. Physiological and genetical studies of the net carbon dioxide exchange by individual intact leaves of several dry bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Ph.D. Dissertation. Cornell Univ. (Libr. Congr. Card No. Mic. 67-1517). University Microfilms. Ann Arbor, Mich. (Diss. Abstr. 27: 4246-B).
Izhar S. & D. H.Wallace, 1967. Studies of the physiological basis for yield differences: III. Genetic variation in photosynthetic efficiency of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Crop Sci. 7: 457–460.
Kirk J. T. O. & R. A. E.Tilney-Bassett, 1967. The plastids. W. H. Freeman and Co. London.
McDonald, D. J., 1971. The effect of temperature and light on the rate of photosynthesis of 20 rice varieties and hybrids. Ph.D. Dissertation. Texas A & M Univ. (Libr. Congr. Card No. Mic. 71-24, 689). University Microfilms. Ann Arbor, Mich. (Diss. Abstr. 32: 1309-B).
McWilliam J. R., B. D. H.Latter & M. J.Matheson, 1969. Enhanced heterosis and stability in the growth of an interspecific Phalaris hybrid at high temperatures. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 22: 493–504.
Mock J. J. & R. B.Pearce, 1975. An ideotype of maize. Euphytica 24: 613–623.
Musgrave R. B., 1971. Photosynthetic efficiency in corn. Am. Seed Trade Assoc. Annu. Corn Sorghum Res. Conf. Proc. 26: 186–192.
Ojima M., R.Kawashima & K.Mikoshiba, 1969. Studies on the seed production of soybean. VII. The ability of photosynthesis in F1 and F2 generations. Proc. Crop. Sci. Soc. Jpn. 38: 693–699.
Pearce R. B., T. M.Crosbie, & J. J.Mock, 1976. A rapid method for measuring net photosynthesis of excised leaves by using airsealed chambers. Iowa State J. Res. 51: 25–33.
Rubtsova M. S., 1960. Some physiological features of hybrids and initial self-pollinated lines of corn. Sov. Plant Physiol. 7; 574–578. [Engl. Transl. Fiziol. Rast.]
Sheridan, K. P., 1966. Intraspecific variation in apparent net photosynthesis of seven crop species. Ph.D. Dissertation. The Pennsylvania State Univ. (Libr. Congr. Card. No. Mic. 67-5964). University Microfilms. Ann Arbor, Mich. (Diss. Abstr. 27: 3642-B).
Shibles R., 1976. Terminology pertaining to photosynthesis. Crop. Sci. 16: 437–439.
Wiebold, J. W., 1975. Heritability of net photosynthesis and related leaf characters in soybeans. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State Univ. Library, Ames, Iowa.
Wilson D. & J. P.Cooper, 1969. Diallel analysis of photosynthetic rate and related leaf characters among contrasting genotypes of Lolium perenne L. Heredity 24: 633–649.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Journal Paper No. J-9023 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1990.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Crosbie, T.M., Mock, J.J. & Pearce, R.B. Inheritance of photosynthesis in a diallel among eight maize inbred lines from Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic. Euphytica 27, 657–664 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023700
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023700