Ernesto Paterniani, Brazilian agronomist and plant geneticist (São Paulo 17 February 1928 –Piracicaba, São Paulo State 18 June 2009)

Son  of Italian immigrants

ACHIEVEMENTS

Developed a number of improved varieties of maize, such as Piramex, Centralmex, Perola Piracicaba, ESALQ VF-1, ESALQ VD-2, Piranão VF-1, Piranão VD-2, Pirapoca, ESALQ VD-2 waxy, etc.

Developed new efficient methods for maize improvement

Selection among and within half-sib families in a Brazilian population of maize (Zea mays L.). CropScience 7(3):212-6, 1967

With R. Vencovsky. Reciprocal recurrent selection in maize (Zea mays L.) based on test crosses of half-sib families. Maydica 22:141-152, 1977.

Phenotypic recurrent selection for prolificacy in maize. Maydica 23:29-34, 1978.

With R. Vencovsky. Reciprocal recurrent selection based on half-sib progenies and prolific plants in maize (Zea mays L.). Maydica 23:209-219, 1978. 

Determined effective scattering distance of maize pollen in field

Effective maize pollen dispersed in the field. Euphytica 23:129-34, 1974.  

Proved the possibility of the occurrence of reproductive isolation through a sympatric process

Selection for reproductive isolation between two populations of maize (Zea mays L.). Evolution 23:534-7, 1969

With M.M. Goodman recognized 20 races of South American maize (1977)