Characterization of white floury corn (Zea mays L.) landraces of Ontari

Data were collected on 24 traits to characterize and classify 35 white floury corn (Zea mays L.) landraces collected on native reserves in Ontario. Several landrace x landrace and landrace x inbred crosses were evaluated. Test crosses were made to determine whether the landraces carry the floury-l (fl$sb1$) allele. Most traits examined exhibited considerable variation among the landraces. Variation was also observed within many of the landraces for ear and cob colour, for endosperm texture and row number. The landraces were grouped into 10 clusters by centroid clustering analysis. Significant heterosis over the mid-parent value was observed in the crosses among landraces. Some crosses between landraces and inbreds yielded more than either parent. Crossing the landraces with the inbreds improved some agronomic characteristics, but disrupted some of the ear characteristics of the landraces. The floury factor responsible for the characteristic endosperm texture of the IAPO landraces was identified as being the dosage dependent fl$sb1$.