Abstract:

The research progress on genetic background and utilization of maize germplasm resources is reviewed in this paper, including maize heterotic groups and heterotic models, their flexible application in breeding, and the use of various types of base materials. It shows that germplasm resource is a prerequisite and basis for maize breeding. In-depth understanding and a reasonable choice of germplasm resources, can significantly improve the breeding efficiency, speed up the breeding process. At the same time, it is considered that the basis materials selection and construction in maize breeding, cannot be only confined in heterosis groups and heterosis modes, but also rationally use them according to different types of germplasm resources, as well as breeding aim and personal thought of breeder.