Maize Cateto inbred line has shown high aluminum tolerance. Due to the importance of this trait in commercial hybrids as well as the lack of consistent informations about the inheritance mechanism involved, the genetics of aluminum tolerance in one maize Cateto inbred line was studied. The inbred lines lp 48-5-3 (Cateto), Col 2(22) (flint from Colombia) and the F1, F2 and backcrosses generations were used. Two replicated experiments were carried ou at Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1985, to evaluate these genotypes grown in nutrient solutions containing 4.5 ppm of Al. Radicle net growth (CLR) was the most adequate measurement to distinguish maize genotypes for Al tolerance. The F2 frequency distribution was continuous, unimodal and yielded only classes resembling those of the F1 and the tolerant parent. The high Al tolerance of the maize inbred line lp 48-5-3 was due to the action of additive minor genes. Both broad and narrow sense heritabilities were high, indicating that plant selection in F2 generation for Al tolerance is efficient.
maize Cateto; genetics; aluminum; tolerance