Potencial genético de populações exóticas de milho para o melhoramento visando caracteres agronômicos e resistência aos fitopatógenos

Abstract

Population growth increases demand for food. Corn is one of the main cereals used for human consumption, directly and indirectly. Brazil has increased corn production taking advantage of two crops per year; however, this expansion by itself is not sufficient for the increasing demand for this cereal, and the development of more productive and resistant varieties and hybrids is fundamental. The choice of germplasm is a very important aspect in maize genetic improvement, since this choice will affect directly genetic gains, allowing greater efficiency in the breeding program. This study evaluated the productive potential and resistance to five leaf diseases in three exotic maize populations. The experiments were done in the experimental area of Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Glória Farm, and in the experimental area of Universidade Federal de Goiás, Regional Jataí, in the second harvest of 2015. Full sibling families of three exotic maize populations (NAP5, NAP7 and NAP8) and S1 families of two populations (NAP5 and NAP7) were evaluated. Also, two controls were used, a susceptible one and a resistant to the main diseases in the crop. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with three replications. Agricultural traits and severity of five maize leaf diseases were evaluated. It was concluded that the three populations under study presented great potential to be used in breeding programs for resistance against plant pathogens.