Prediction of genotypic values via REML/BLUP and path analysis in maize half-sib families

Abstract

Maize has significant relevance to food and economic security. Plant breeding programs have been used to promote genetic and productive gains in this culture. The study aimed to evaluate the genetic gain between maize half-sib families, in the first cycle of recurrent selection, using the REML/BLUP methodology. Path analysis was also performed in order to understand the relationship between the agronomic traits. The experiment was conducted at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Triângulo Mineiro – Campus Uberlândia. The agronomic traits evaluated were plant height (AP), ear insertion height (AIE), stem diameter (DC), ear length (CE), ear diameter (DE) and grain weight (PG). The results indicated significant differences only for the traits CE, DE and PG. A high coefficient of genetic variation (CVg) was observed for the traits CE, PG and DE, with only DE presenting a coefficient of relative variation (CVr) above one. The REML/BLUP methodology demonstrated high accuracy values, and the estimates of gains were promising, with values ​​of 24,07%, 21,88% e 18,23% for CE, PG and DE, respectively. Path analysis revealed the possibility of indirect gains in PG through CE.