MARDI Res. Bull.

I, 1: l-9 (1973)
STRATIFIEDMASS SELECT'IONFOR GRAIN
YIELD IN THE MAIZE VARIETY, METR.O.

woNG LOCK jAM

Accepted lor publication: 18 Dec. 1972

Ringkasan
Cara mudah bagi pemilihan urrrum berstrata lstralified mitss selection) cii{erarr::-
kan. .Selepaspemilihanumum pusingankeempat lfourth cyclet dijalankanhasiI darinya telah
dibuatkan. percYbaaa untuk pelbandingan pengcluaran 1'ang dijal-ankanserentak di ig. Ka-
r.ang,S.er.{a1edan Ll^ndang. Di dalam percubaair pengeluarai hasil ini termasulilah-juga
jenis Asli. Mclro KS. L darr B.

. -Adalah -didapati balrawa pengeluaran hasil biji (grain yield) dari jenis Metro KS, L dan S
lebih rendah sebanyak-1}-l5i( {9rlp4da Metro Asli. Tidak terdairat -TK-4 perbezaan yang ber-
kesan.di dalam penge_lgaranhasil biji di antara Metro Asli dan j6nis yang- te6h di-
perbaiki (improved TK-{),gungguhprln, penamh.ihanhasil sebadyak 14.7% diflcrolehr di
- Lundang gan ?5.7% diperolehidi Tg. Karang. Walau bagaimanapunMe tro TI{-4
-Serdang
lebih mengeluarkanhasil yang berkesan daripadajeniiB.L. XS dai S.

lntroduction
Metro, a sylthetic variety which originated in Indonesia,was introduced into Malay-
sia in 1964 to replace our low yielding variety, Local Flint. A selectionprogrammeto
improve the grain field of Metro under local conditions was initiated in 1968 at the
Peat Research Station, Tanjong Karang (Selangor).The method used was stratified mass
selection.

Mass selectionhas been found to be effective in changing traits like ear and plant
height {Srnith. 1909).oil and protcin content (Woodworthet al, 1952)and date of ma-
turity (Andrew, 1969). However, no definite conclusionscould be drawn with regards
to mass selection for improving grain yield. Though Montgomery (in Hayes et al, 1955)
and William & Welton (1915) obtained increasein grain yield with massselection,other
breederslike Kiesselbach, Noll, Richey, Hayes & Alexander(reviewedin Gardner, i95l)
found it to be ineffective.Hayes et al (1955) concluded that it was ineffective for in-
creasine -erain yield of adapted varieties.

However,itr recentyearsthe resultsobtained in the United States (mainly North Car.c-

lina and Nebraska)demonstratedthat large amounts of additive geneticvariancefor yield
existedin open-pollinatedvarieties(Robinsonet at, 1955, and Gardner, 1961). Hence,
selectionon single-plantbasis should be effectivein improvinggrain yield. This has been
confirmedby the findingsof Lonnquist& N{cGill (1956),Gardner(tq6l) and Lonnctuiste/
el (1966\.

The object of this paper is to report on a study involving the ntass selectionand per,
formanceof N{etroas evaluatedin 1970.

Materials and Methods

The material used for the ttrassselectionwas a randonrsampleof seodsdrawn frour
the Metro variety grown in 1967 at Tarrjong Karang. These seedswere labelled TK-O
and someseedswere sentto Kuala Luntpur for stora_ce in the cold roont.
The stratifiedntassselectionschemeusedwas that describedby Garciner(1961)and
Sombatsiri et al (1964).
 The base population for the selectionexperiment consisted of 36 plots with each
p l o t s i z eo f 2 5 f t -x 1 5 f t ( 7 . 6 2 m x 4 . 5 7 m ) . W i t h a p l a n t i n g d i s t a n c el fot fx 3 f t ( 0 . 3 0 5 m
x 0.915m) each plot contained125plants aranged in five rows. At tasselingstage,prior
to dnthesis,all plants that were off-types,lodging and poor vigour were detasseled.At
harvest 30 superior-lookingcoi-.sfronr plantsof better vigour and least attackedby pests
and diseases were selectedand ba-eged accordingto plot. After dehuskingand drying. all
the 30 cobs,taking one at a time, wcre weighedand the heaviestfive were retained. These
selectedcobs rverebulked with those of the other plols, shelled and the seedsthoroughly
mixed. These seeds,labelled TK-l, would form the basepopulationfor the next cycle of
selection. The above procedurewas repeateduntil TK-4 seedswere produced.

TK-O is referredhere as the Original since TK-4 was derived from it. Itt 1970
seedsfrom four different locations,as listed below,were collectedto representthe existing
statusof Metro in the country.
Co!lections Locations
Metro 'KS' Kuala Selangor (Selangor)
Mctro 'S' Serdang (Selangor)
Metro 'B' Butterworth (ProvinceWellesley)
Metro 'I-' Lundang Kelantan)

The above collections tcgether with TK.0 and TK-4 were incorporated into an evalua'
tion trial conducted at Tanjong Karang (shallow peat). Lundang (claYeYloam) and Serdang
(sandv clay loam) simultaneouslv. A randonrized complete block design with four replica-
tions was used. The plot size was 10 ft x 15 ft (3.05 nr x 4.58 ru) and with a planting
distance of 30 in x 9 in Q.763 m r 0.229 m).

and Discussion
Rt-"sr"rlts
The Original referredhere is TK-0, the basepopulationfrom which TK-4 was derived.
The results of yielC tests concluctedat Tanjong Karang. Serdangand Lundang are pre-
sentedin TablesI & II. Plant hei-eht,ear height and days to 75'/^ silking are recordedin
Tables III, IV & V respectively.
Basedon Bartlett's Test for homogeneityof residualvariancesfor grain yield' it was
decidedto conducta conrbinedanalysisfor Serdangancl Lundang and a separateanalysis
for Tanjong Karan-e. The cornbinedanalysisshowedno significant interaction betweenthe
entriesancllocations,indicatingthat the-entriesgavequite similar yield responseat Lundang
and Serdang (given in appenCix). However, the analysisof Tanjong Karang revealed
high variation for grain yield, cocfficientof variation being42.9'1. This was not unexpected
as symptomsof localisedstuntingand yellowingof leaveswere also noted. Further analysis
showecl-significantcorrelation between entry meansand correspondingstandarddeviations
at 1"/^ Ievel (r : * 0.894), inferring that logarithmic transformation is approp'riate, a
summaryof the analysisis given in the appendix.

As seeni1 Table I & I.L TI(-4 consistently -uavehigheryield than the Original over all
the three location.qtestcd. However. none of the differencewas statisticallysignificantal'
thoughgrain yield improvedby l4-25.71of the Original. This could be attributed to'in'
sufficientrcolica.tionsrvhich rendered the experimentaldesign less sensitive. The yield
increaseof. 14-25.71 after four cyclesof selection is conrparable to results achieved by
other researchers.Usine the op,enpollinated maizevariety Hayes Golden,Gardner (1961)
obtaineda gain of 22.8"/- after four cycles of selectionand Lonnquist et al (1960 report'
ed an increaseof 727"/- after six cycles of selection. Sombatsiriet al (1961) recorded a
 gain of 0'22% after three cycles of selection using the variety Guatemala, a variety related
to Metro. Using the variety Chalco, Covarrubias obtainecl 9% gain in yield after two
cycles of selection and Johnson reported an improvement of 33"/" after three cycles of selec-
tion with .variety V520C (in Lonnquist 1966).

Fronr the yield results, it can be seen that Metros KS, L, B and S were outyielded sig-
nificantJy by TK-4 at all locations. The overall average of Metros KS, L, B & S (no sig-
nificant difference among them) is representedin Fig. I as barcharts together rvitlr TK-4 and
the original.

There was no significarnt difference between the entries for plant and ear height. How-
ever, interaction between entries and location were nrarked. For davs to 75"/ silkins
from sowing, difference between entries wer significailt at Serdang ani Tan;ong- fu.un!
but not Lundang. At Serdang, L was significantlv longer ntaturing than ail entries. l'he
earliest nlaturing entrv at Serdang and Tanjong Karang was B. From table V. it appears
that all the entries took lon-eer tine to reach maturity at Lundang than at the other two
Jocations.

Thus, it can be seenthat though TK-4 gave significantly higher .r,ield than KS, L, s & B
generally TK-4 was not significantly different from these entries in plant height, ear heisht
and days to 75/. silking. One can conclude that selecting for cob weight in maize Coes not
have any nrarked effect on plant height, ear height and days to 75"/. silking. The results
here indicate that controlled nass selection can be cffective in improvine crain vield of arr
open'pollinated variety of maize. Since TK-4 is significantly higher than KS. S. L and B
in vield. it could replace the present Metro variety in the countrv.

'l.anjong
lable l: Grain Yield (157'. Moisture) ar Karans
(retransforrnecl data)

Metro Entries Av. Plot Yield (gnr; Yield in Kglha.* . / of Originai

TK-4 1063.0 1905a 125.7

Original 845.9 1 5 1 6a b i00.0
KS 507.0 909 bc 60.0
L 423.6 759 bc 50.r
B 404.1 724 c 47.8
S 398.3 714 c 47.1
Mean 578.2 r036

Coeft. Var : 7.0'A

'r Values followed
by the same letter are not significantly different at 5i( using the
f)uncan's Multiple Range test.
 Table II: Grain Yield (15"/" Moisture) at Lundang and Serdang.

Yield m Kg/ha 1
Metro Entries - Mean Yield* % o f Original
Serdang Lundang

TK.4 3506 4087 3797 a 114.7

Original 3091 3528 3 3 1 0a b 100.0

S 2940 3201 3071bc 92.8

KS 2108 3253 2681cd 80.I

L 22t2 283r 2521 cd 76.2

B r428 26lr 2020 d 6r.0

Location

Mean 2667 3464

Coeff. Var - 17.8%

* Values follolved by the same letter are not significantly diAerent at 5 i: using the
Duncan's Multiple Range test.

Table III. Plant height in cur. at Serdang. Lundaing and Tanjong Karang.

Metro Entries Serdang I-undang Tg. Karang Meanx

TK.4 z+J. I 396.4 270.2 303.4a

Original 241.4 376.5 251.1 2 8 9 . 8a b

KS 247.9 382.1 275,8 3{11

.9 a

S 249.9 389.6 270.0 303.2a

L 248.6 377.2 260.7 295.5a

B 193.3 379.8 250.0 274.4h

Mean 237.1 384,3 263.6

* Values follorved by the same letter are not significantly dillerent at 5% using the
Duncan's Multiple Range test.

4
 Table IV: Far heightsin cm. at Serdang,Lundang and ranjong Karang.

Metro Entries Serdang Lundang Tg. Karang N{ean *

TK.4 144.1 156.4 140.6 147.0ab

Original 141.0 144.8 123.9 136.6b

KS 146.2 r39.4 t43.1 142.9ab

S 152.2 167.9 144.1 154.8a

L 148.3 r 50.9 135.2 144.8ab

B r07.9 173.4 122.7 134.7 b

Mean 139.9 155.9 133.4

x Values follorved by the same letter are not significantly different at 5i! using the
Duncan's Nlultiple Range test.

Table V: No. of days to 75'l" silking for all entriesat Serdang,Lundang and
Tanjong Karang.

Metro Entries I Serdang * Lundang * Tg. Karang *

TK.4 49.3bc 78,5 a 55.3 ab

Original 48.8bc 75.0 a 55.3 ab

KS 50.5b 78.5 a 57.0 ab

S 50.8 b 75.0 a 58.8 a

L 53.0 a 79.3 a 57.8 a

B 47.8 c 80.3 a 5 1 . 8b

Mean s0.0 I t.5 55.4

Coeff. Var. t 10/

4.2% 6.e%

* Values followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% using the
Duncan's Multiple Range test.

)
 Acknowledgements
In lhe courseof writing this paper and during the period of conductingthe trials I would
like to thank the following persons- Encik Lee Chong Soon(for statisticaladvice);En-
cik Mohd. Nasir bin Abdul Manan (for supervisingtrials at Tanjong Karang); Encik Lim
Heng Jong (for conductingtrials at Lundang); and Encik Goh Kong Fah and Encik Daud
bin Muda Rashid (for supervisingtrials at Serdang).

Summary
A simple method of stratilied mass selection is described. After the fourth cycle
of mass selection, the end-product rvas incorporateri into a yield trial conducted at
Tanjong Karang, Serdang and Lurrdang simultaneously. Also included in the yield trial
were the Original, Metros KS. L, S and B.

It was found that grain yield of Metros KS, L, S and B u,ere lower than the Ori-
ginal by some 10-50% of the latter. There was no significantdifferenceingrainyields
betueen the Original and the improved, TK-4, though increasesof 14.7% and25.7% were
cbtained at Serdang -- Lundang and Tanjong Karang respectively. Metro TK-4. how-
ever, significantly outyielded the entries B, L. KS & S.

LiteratureCited
Allard R,W. (1960) Principlesof plant breeding. Wiley 1'oppan Print Co.
Andrew R.H. (1969) Ear-to-rowselectionfor early maturityCrop Sci.9:51-53.
BriggsF.N. & KnowlesP.F. (1967) lntroductionto plant breeding.Reinhold Pub. Corp.
N.Y.
GardnerC.O. (1961) An evaluationof eftectsof mass selection with thermal neutrons on
yield of corn. Crop Sci. 1: 241-245.
Hayes,H.K., Immer, F.R. Smith,,D,C. (1955). Methods of Plant Breeding. McGraw -
Hill Co.,N.Y.
JugeinheimerR. W. (1958)Evolution of Breedingmethods- in Hybrid Maize breedingand
Seed Production F.A.O. pub.
Lonnquist J.H. & McGill D.P. (1956) Performanceof corn syntheticsin advancedgene-
rations of synthesisand after two cycles of recurrentselection. Agron. 1.48:249--253.
LonnquistJ.J.,Cota,A. & GardnerCo. (1966). Ellect of massselectionand thgrmalneutron
irradiation on geneticvariancein a variety of corn. Crop Sci.6: 330-332.
RobinsonH. F., Comstock,R. E. & Harvey R.H. (1955). Genetic variances in open-
pollinatedvarietiesof corn. Genetic40: 45-60.
Smith L. H. (i909). The effect of selectionupon certain physical charactersin corn plant.
IU. Agr. Exp. Stn. Bul. 706.
SombatsiriK., Chawanaponsa,C. SgnanarongA & Jan-om. J. (1964). The efliciencyof
the controlled massselectionmethod on the improvement of Guatemala corn. The First
Inter-Asian Corn Imp,rovementWorkshop. Kasetsart University Print. Bangkok.
WilliamsC.G. & Welton F.A. (1915). Corn experiments.Ohio Agr. Stn.8u1.282. (In
Hayes & Immer).
Woodworth C. M., Leng E. R. & Jugenheimer(R. W. (1952). Fifty gengrationsof selection
upon certain physical charactersin corn plant. Agron. l. 44: 60-65.
APPENDIX
ANOVA 1: Combinedanalysisfor Grain Yield (Scrdang - Lundang)

Sources of Var. dl Mt:tut squures

Locations *
tiit889"12

Entries 3953272,"'r
l,ocationsx Entries 30 247297Ns
Residual 30 299512

ANOVA 2: Logarithnric transfornation (base l0) analS'sis

for grain f ield at Tanjong
Karang.

Sources of Var. ul. Mewt sqtnres

Replications 3 '*
0.52304136
Entries 5 *
0.t1221811
Residual l5 0.03150696

x : 2.76205

NS : not significant
* : significant at 5'l
** : significant at 1"1
ANOVA 3: Combined analysis for Plant heicht and Ear heisht.

t, Mean squqres
Sourcesof Variety i df .
Plant height Ear height

Locations 2 nZ34g5Z *+ 3952.58,.'r'

Enrries 5 i2p4.lZNs 574.42Ns

I
Locationsx Entries l0 461.49** 637.68**

Residual 45 13652 104.50

ANOVA 4: Analvsis for day'sto 75"A silking.

9nttree. nl
Mean
tvtcutt squares
Jqqw (J
.1J
u l .
Var.
Lundang Serdang Tg. Karattg
tt - l 1 _ _ _
Replications 3 2.333Ns 2.778Ns 42.433*

- 22.16'lNs I 1 . 3 3 *3*
Entries 5 3 3 . 3 3*3

Residual i 15 10.222 1.778 10.539

NS : not significant
* : signikcant at 5'/"
x* : significantat l"/"
 Figure l: Bar-charr oi grain )reld at Tanjong Karang, Serdang and Lundang -+

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