GENETIC IMPROVEMENT IN POPCORN

Popcorn consumption in Brazil has grown significantly over the years, and genetic improvement is essential to obtain sustainable gains multiple traits supply this increasing demand. Thus, objective of review was contribute information concerning process popcorn breeding tropical regions, germplasm availability, plans, main characteristics related quality yield, advances perspectives improvement. The focus programs hybrids from inbred lines with high popping expansion (40 mL g-1) yield (4.000 kg ha-1). performed presented significant advances, mainly due work developed public institutions development new that present more yield. However, number cultivars still low, most them are controlled by private companies. Therefore, intrapopulation methods recommended develop open-pollinated varieties expansion, trait can be used as an early predictor promising superior for grain quality. Furthermore, quickly recovered backcrosses involving cross common maize line.