Agronomic performance of sweetcorn populations derived from crosses between sweetcorn and field corn

Abstract

The adaptation of sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) to Spanish growing conditions needs to be improved, something that could be achieved by incorporating traits from field corn populations. The aim of the present study was to analyse the performance of sweetcorn populations carrying the genes sugary1 (su1) or shrunken2 (sh2), as well as sugary enhancer double mutants (su1 se1), produced by crosses between sweetcorn donor populations and the Spanish field corn populations Lazcano, Oroso and Rastrojero. The three field corn populations plus the su1, su1 se1 and sh2 populations derived from them, as well as the su1, su1 se1, and sh2 donor populations used in the crosses with the field corn populations, were evaluated for their agronomic performance. Several hybrids were used as controls. Assessments were made in Zaragoza (NE Spain) and Pontevedra (NW Spain) over two years. The ability of the field corn populations to improve the sweetcorn varieties was not greatly affected by the sweetcorn mutant involved. The field corn populations chosen as donors for improving sweetcorn must depend on the growing conditions in mind. Sweetcorn populations derived Oroso would appear to be the most favourable for northern Spain, while those derived from Rastrojero would appear to be the most suitable for inland Spain, although other field corn populations are still to be examined.