Objective Breeding a new corn variety that bore both sweet and waxy kernels on same ear by means of a molecular marker-assisted technique was developed to establish a unique branded produce for Fujian.
Method Jingkenuo No. 2000, a major high-quality waxy corn grown by the local farmers was cross bred in 3 generation to arrive at GMC013 through pedigree breeding. The new germplasm was then hybridized with sweet Xuetian No. 7401 and self-pollinated. By employing the molecular marker-assisted and field selection methods like what has been used on rice, both sweet gene sh2 and waxy gene wx in the starch synthesis pathway were induced to the new corn variety for fresh consumption. Result The applied breeding technology successfully helped develop the sweet GM102 as well as the glutinous GM104 and GM112. The field tests proved that the inbred lines had met the quality standard and appearance of sweet and glutinous kernel types with desirable growth period, plant height, ear position on a plant, ear length, ear thickness, fresh weight of 100 kernels, and kernel setting rate.
Conclusion The molecular-assisted technique combined with the field selection successfully bred a superior corn germplasm with the targeted characteristics in producing both sweet and waxy kernels on an ear.
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