Genetic diversity management and maize participatory breeding under agroecological systems

Abstract

This work evaluated improved varieties developed by formal and participatory breeding, new varieties, and local varieties under different environments aiming to verify their potential for breeding purposes and utilization under different agroecosystems. Three environments were used: conventional area at Embrapa Cerrados experimental station, Cunha’s settlement considered a transitional agroecological area with low phosphorus availability, and Colonia’s II settlement considered an agroecological area. Our results showed great potential for Eldorado and Fortaleza both developed using participatory breeding. The new varietiesMC 20, MC 50, and MC 60 synthesized by participatory approaches and local variety Aliança presented high performance in these environments. All these varieties showed high adaptation under agroecological environments and were highly efficient in nitrogen and phosphorus use. Strategies used to develop new varieties and participatory breeding were high effective to identify varieties well adapted for agroecological systems.