Maize Population Hybrids

Population-Hybrid Concept (Carena, 2005; Carena and Wicks, 2006)

This corn hybrid project was initiated in 1999 in order to assist in the economic development of local North Dakota communities. This was a consequence of our goal to identify alternative heterotic patterns for the northern U.S. Corn Belt. As a consequence of our research program targeted to identify alternative heterotic patterns, we have developed and identified improved corn hybrids based on 20 environments across years. These can be both, profitable F₁ hybrids as well as good elite sources of diverse inbred lines. Breeding efforts toward elite corn population hybrids have demonstrated that long-term germplasm improvement is extremely valuable and deserves public funding so that new and diverse elite early maturing inbred lines can be developed increasing producer options. Public maize breeding programs utilizing recurrent selection for germplasm improvement could address the need. These programs will assist in breeding activities such as extensive testing and good choice of germplasm. Since 2003 eight early maturing lines have been developed from genetically broad-based germplasm.