Genetic diversity for physiological quality of seeds from corn (Zea mays L.) intervarietal crossbreeds

The physiological quality is based on the genotype and may be accompanied since the first stages of selection through the study of genetic diversity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the parental genetic contribution in the seed physiological quality in corn intervarietal crossbreeds. The intervarietal crossbreeds were performed using landraces genotypes, open pollinated varieties and commercial hybrids. The seeds obtained from the crossbreed, their equivalents and parentals were evaluated regarding their water percentage, germination, germination speed rate, accelerated aging, field emergence and electrical conductivity. The seeds obtained in the crossbreed are viable and vivid with heterosis when compared with the parentals. The accelerated aging test was more effective for selecting the strongest genotypes. The canonical variables were useful to group the genotypes that presented similar physiological characteristics. The genotypes MPA 01 x Pixurum 05, MPA 01 x AS1565, MPA 01 x SJC5886, SJC5886 x Pixurum 05 and Fundacep 35 x SCS 154 Fortuna were the best crossbreeds regarding the production of better physiological quality seeds.