Identifying quality protein maize inbred lines with enhanced seed vigour and longevity using multi-trait seed-quality...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Breeding
• Genetics

Background:

• Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is vital for nutrition in developing countries.
• Poor seed storability and vigor in QPM inbred lines hinder hybrid development and market expansion.
• Seed quality traits like storability and vigor are critical for QPM hybrid marketability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate pre- and post-storage seed viability and vigor in advanced QPM inbred lines.
• To identify QPM inbred lines with superior seed storability and vigor.
• To assess the association between seed morphological traits, vigor, and longevity.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of 28 QPM inbred lines using multiple seed quality parameters.
• Natural ageing (18 months) and accelerated wet ageing (5 days) to assess seed longevity and vigor.
• Application of the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) to identify superior lines.

Main Results:

• Significant variation in seed vigor and longevity was observed among QPM inbred lines.
• Vigor declined faster than viability during natural ageing, impacting germination time.
• Four superior inbred lines (MGU-QPM-16, MGU-QPM-47, MGU-QPM-22, MGU-QPM-31(Opq)) were identified, with MGU-QPM-47 showing the best longevity and post-storage vigor.
• Seed morphological traits, except eccentricity, were not significantly linked to vigor or longevity.

Conclusions:

• Contrasting QPM inbred lines with superior and poor seed storability and vigor were identified.
• High heritability of traits suggests potential for improving seed storability and vigor in QPM hybrids.
• Identified lines can be utilized in breeding programs and for developing mapping populations for seed storability and vigor.