The objective of this study was to correlate the heterosis evaluated by diallel complete design with the genetic divergence estimated through the use of RAPD markers. Eight popcorn populations (1-PASHA, 2-PAPA, 3-PAAPC, 4-PO, 5-ZL, 6-CMS 42, 7-RS 20 and 8-CMS 43) were intercrossed on a complete diallel scheme, without reciprocal crosses, during 2002/2003 summer season, resulting in 28 hybrids. Hybrid evaluations were accomplished in the 2003/2004 summer season, at Londrina and Ponta Grossa, PR, in a trial with thirty-eight treatments, including all hybrid combinations, eight parentals and two controls (IAC 112 and IAC TC01). Complete randomized blocks design with tree replications was used. Traits evaluated were grain yield, popping expansion, plant height, ear height, ear prolificity and female flowering. RAPD was also used to estimate genetic distances among populations. The results infer in positive and significant correlations among the genetic divergence detected by RAPD molecular markers and the traits grain yield, plants height, ear height and ear prolificity of all hybrids evaluated on present diallel. For popping expansion, flowering and percentage heterosis no significant correlations with genetic divergence were detected.
Zea mays; popping expansion; diallel; Gardner and Eberhart
