title: Proposal of a super trait for the optimum selection of popcorn progenies based on path analysis.
abstract: A challenge faced by popcorn breeding programs is the existence of a negative correlation between the two main traits, popping expansion and yield, which hinders simultaneous gains. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of a new variable or super trait, which favors the reliable selection of superior progenies. The super trait 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' was introduced in the evaluation of 200 full-sib families of the eighth recurrent intrapopulation selection cycle, which were arranged in randomized blocks with three replicates in two environments. Although the inability to obtain simultaneous gains through selection via popping expansion or yield was confirmed, the super trait was positively associated with both yield and popping expansion, allowing simultaneous gains via indirect selection using 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' as the main trait. This approach is recommended because this super trait can be used in breeding programs to optimize selective gains for the crop.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: do Amaral Júnior
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil ismael-fernando@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: I F S
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: R N F
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Kurosawa
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Engenharia Agrícola do Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia Agropecuária da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de A Gravina
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: de L Silva
mesh_terms: D000069600:Plant Breeding; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*