Effect of Backcrossing on the Popping Characteristics of Normal Corn×Popcorn Crosses

The F2,BC1 and BC2 generations of 20 normal corn×popcorn crosses made from 5 normal corn inbreds and 4 popcorn lines were made.The performance of popping characteristics,ear-kernel and plant characters,their variations within populations and backcrossing effect were studied.The results showed that,there were significant differences among crosses in all characters in every generation.The variations were very great within each population,so selections in each generation should be made in great population.The backcrossing effect was different among crosses in all characters,and suitable backcrossing times should be decided according to different crosses.