Genetic Effects for Maize P Efficiency Traits in Acid and Non-acid Soils of Western Kenya
Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Agriculture International - Year 2016, Vol 11, Issue 1
Abstract
Soil acidity is a major constraint to maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in tropical soils due to toxic levels of aluminium (Al) and phosphorus (P) deficiency. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the genetic effects of certain traits associated with phosphorus efficiency in maize (ii) compare the genetic control of maize P efficiency traits in acid and non-acid soils. Six F1 single crosses derived from acid soil tolerant and susceptible lines were used in this study. The parental inbred lines, the F1’s, F2’s, BC1P1, BC1P2, from each of the six crosses were evaluated in two low P acid and two low P non-acid soils in Kenya. Mean genetic effect (m), additive genetic effects (a), dominant genetic effects (d) and epistatic digenic effects (aa, ad, dd) were computed for Shoot dry matter (SDM), Root Length density (RLD), P content (PC), P utilization efficiency (PUE) and P efficiency (PE). For most of the traits, greater variation was accounted for by dominance followed by epistatic and additive genetic effects in both acid and non-acid soils. Means for all the traits studied were significantly higher at high P conditions (36 kgP/ha) in non-acid soils compared to acid soils for all the generations. Both RLD and PE exhibited higher means under non-acid soils compared to acid soils under both P conditions. Mean heritabilities were generally higher in non-acid soils compared to acid soils. There was higher reduction in PE in acid soils (25-50%) compared to non-acid soils (15 to 30%). The magnitude of both additive and non-additive gene effects were always greater in non-acid compared to acid soils pointing to the effects of soil acidity on gene action. The inheritance of major PE traits did not differ in acid and non-acid soils even though soil acidity affected the magnitude of the gene effects.
Authors and Affiliations
Ouma E. Ochieng, Gudu Samuel
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351248
- DOI 10.9734/AJEA/2016/21893
- Views 81
- Downloads 0
Product Quality Assessment of Clarias gariepinus Fed on Varying Dietary Levels of Azadirachta indica Leaf Meal
This feeding trial was conducted to assess the body composition and product quality of Clarias gariepinus fed dietary levels of Azadirachta Indica leaf meal (AILM). Four isonitrogenous diets of 36% crude protein were for...
Identification of Palestinian Colored-table-grape Cultivars by Means of Morphological and Pomological Descriptors
Palestine is a treasure chest of plant genetic diversity that hosts a large variety of plants including grapevines. Unfortunately, this diversity is challenged dramatically due to different biotic and abiotic stress resu...
Yield and Quality of Intercropped Wheat with Faba Bean under Different Wheat Plant Densities and Slow – Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates in Sandy Soil
The rapid increase of the population in Egypt together with a limited cultivated area results in an acute need for additional production of various crops. A two – year field trial was conducted in El-Boustan region, Sout...
Improvement of Flowering, Yield and Quality Attributes in Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) by Exogenous Application of Plant Nutrition
A field experiment was conducted at south farm, of Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Manakkadavu, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with nine treatments and three replicat...
Effects of the Timing of Water Deficits on Cotton Water Economy, Growth, and Yield
Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of water deficits applied at different phenological periods on whole-plant responses of cotton grown under rain-sheltered conditions. Study Design: A complete rando...