RECURRENT SELECTION FOR POPULATION, VARIETY, AND HYBRID IMPROVEMENT IN TROPICAL MAIZE

The objectives of this chapter is to discuss tropical maize germplasm and environments in which maize is grown, provide information on recurrent selection systems, and how they are applied by the breeder; review maize population improvement work in national programs in tropical regions, highlight recurrent selection work of the international center for maize, and wheat improvement; and relate population improvement work to hybrid programs for the tropics. It is recognized that maize production practices in the tropics are generally poor. Improved production practices are bound to contribute more to increased yields initially, but as production practices improve, greater breeding effort is required to increase yields and adapt materials to improved practices. Yield potential of tropical maize should be increased by improving grain production efficiency, measured in time and space. Selection for desirable morphological traits, higher harvest index, reduced ASI, increased efficiency of nutrient uptake and utilization, improved stress tolerances, and superior quality traits should all be emphasized in the tropics. © 1992 Academic Press, Inc.