E. L PINNELL 



E. H. RINKE 



and 



H. K. HAYES 



Universify of Minnesofa 



Chapter 24 



Gamete Selection for 

 Specific Combining Ability" 



Gamete selection as a breeding method was designed for more efficient 

 sampling of open-pollinated varieties. It was suggested by Stadler in 1944. 

 The method was outlined in detail by Stadler (1945) and preliminary data 

 presented. Hayes, Rinke, and Tsiang (1946) proposed that the same technic 

 could be used to select gametes from such sources as synthetic varieties, 

 single or more complex crosses, and inbred lines. They discussed gamete 

 selection in its relation to the improvement of a particular double cross 

 combination. 



MATERIALS AND METHODS 



In 1945, three double crosses, Minliybrids 602, 607, and 406, were selected 

 for a method study in gamete selection. Single cross performance data shown 

 in Tables 24.1 and 24.2 indicate that A344 is low in combining ability in 

 Minhybrids 602 and 607, and that the same is true for inbreds A25 and A73 

 in Minhybrid 406. 



A344 was crossed to Minnesota #13 (Morris strain) and to 8 inbred lines 

 namely, Oh51A, A97, 1234, A315, A348, A367, A396, and 111. 4226 as sources 

 of gametes. The inbreds were selected because of their diversity of origin 

 and good general combining ability. In addition, A367 had yielded well in 

 specific tests with A357, A385, and A392. A315 and A348 had performed well 

 in crosses with A392. The remaining five inbreds had not been crossed to 

 A357, A385, or A392 in previous years. A25 was crossed with Golden King 

 and A73 with Murdock. In 1946, individual Fi plants of these crosses were 



* Paper No. 2591 of the Scientific Journal Series, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment 

 Station. 



378 



