Standard method in production of maize inbreds of Lancaster germplasm

Aim. The article presents the results of selection of Lancaster maize lines by the standard method during 2006–2019. Methods. The initial material was middle-ripe sister hybrid DK185×DK633-266 related to Lancaster (c103) germplasm. Its parental forms were the components of a number of hybrids listed in the State Register of Ukraine. Inbred DK633 (Lancaster C103 germplasm), closely related to inbred DK633-266 was taken as a control. The selection for a set of desirable features was made at each stage of self-pollination. Starting from the generation S3, self-pollinated families were crossed with testers from alternative germplasms to estimate their combining ability.esults. The maximum average grain yield of test crosses was recorded in 2011 – 10.97 t ha–1, the minimum – in dry year 2012 – 1.96 t ha–1. It was relatively low (4.45 t ha–1) in 2014; almost the same in 2010, 2015 and 2016 – 6.64, 6.87 and 6.54 t ha–1, respectively; slightly higher in 2009, 2013 and 2017 – 7.60, 7.77 and 7.71 t ha–1, respectively; and the largest in 2019 – 8.84 t ha–1and in 2018 – 9.16 t ha–1. The average grain moisture ranged from 11.8% in 2019 to 21.9% in 2009. Conclusion. A group of maize constant lines has been selected ((DK185×DK633-266) 4p12212111211, (DK185×DK633-266) 5p4221311211, (DK185×DK633-266) 5p4221311221, (DK185×DK633-266) 6p131121111, (DK185×DK633-266) 6p131121112, (DK185×DK633-266) 6p131121121 and (DK185×DK633-266) 6p2223111121)). The testcrosses of these lines exceeded in grain yield both testcrosses of inbred DK633 and standard hybrids by 0.5-1.5 t ha–1 at grain moisture at harvest lower by 2.0% or more. All of them have been included in crosses with the best testers of germplasms Reid, Iodent and Mix for synthesis of new perspective hybrids FAO 300-400.