EVALUATION OF PURPLE WAXY CORN LINES FOR HYBRID VARIETY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

      This study was carried out to evaluate and select superior purple waxy corn lines derived from self-pollination (S3 to S6 generation) with high grain yield, marketable fresh cob yield, anthocyanin content, good eating quality and desirable agronomical characteristics. These lines were extracted from exotic and domestic germplasm. Phenotypic data collected included growth and developmental characteristic, yield and yield components, marketable fresh cob yield, total anthocyanin content, eating quality, pericarp thickness, sugar content, tenderness and taste.. Eighteen purple waxy corn lines out of 45 lines were selected based on selection index computed from ideotype plant analysis with 12 traits. These lines had high anthocyanin content (22.4 to 260.10 μg/L), acceptable grain yield (2.0 to 3.5 t/ha) and marketable fresh cob yield (3.8 to 6.4 t/ha), good eating quality and suitable agronomical characteristics. These lines were recommended for further purple waxy corn inbred line and hybrid development.