Heterosis en el proceso germinativo y en caracteres de semilla del hí-brido de maíz (Zea mays L.) HAZUL 10E

Objective: To quantify the heterosis in physical and physiological characteristics of seeds of the simple and trilineal crosses of the maize hybrid HAZUL 10E. Methodology: Seeds of the genotypes that make up the HAZUL 10E maize hybrid (inbred lines and simple and trilineal crosses) were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with three repetitions. Physical characteristics of the seeds (weight, width, thickness, length, volume, density and the ratios width/length of seed and thickness/length of seed) and physiological (normal and abnormal seedlings, inert seeds, and lengths and dry matter of plumule, radicle and total) were evaluated. Heterosis and heterobeltiosis were determined and their differences between both crosses were tested with Student's t test. Results: Heterosis and heterobeltiosis were higher in the single cross than in the trilineal one. In the single cross, the higher values of both heterosis corresponded to plumule, radicle and total dry matter; followed by weight and seed volume. In the trilinear, the highest values corresponded to normal seedlings and radicle length and biomass, and total. The determining variables of the shape, the formation of normal seedlings and the elongation of the radicle, responded better to hybridization in the trilineal cross. Study limitations: None presented. Conclusions: In the single cross, heterosis increased the seed size and the biomass accumulated in the seedlings; while in the trilineal cross, it affected the shape of the seed and the seedlings produced.