Combining ability studies for grain yield other agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

  • V. Kumar, S.K. Singh, N.P. Singh, V. Mahajan DEPT. OF G.P.B., I.A.S., B.H.U., VARANASI
Keywords: Maize, Inbred Lines, Combining Ability, Full Diallel

Abstract

The present study was aimed to investigate combining ability among twelve elite maize inbred lines in a complete diallel mating design for twelve yield and yield contributing traits. Twelve parents along with their 132 F1’s including reciprocals were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among parents for most of the traits studied except for ear diameter. Variance due to GCA and SCA were highly significant for the traits studied indicating importance of both additive and non-additive types of gene action. Preponderance of additive gene action was observed for most of the traits studied except for the grain yield plant-1, number of kernel rows ear-1, number of kernels row-1 and ear length which showed preponderance of non-additive gene action. Parent P10 was the best general combiner for grain yield followed by P9 and P1. Parent P9 was also found to be best general combiner for the all traits studied including grain yield. Parent P10 was also found to be best general combiner for early maturity, number of kernel rows ear-1 and 100 kernels weight. For the trait early maturity parent found to be best general combiners were P10, P3 and Parent P7. Total 79 cross combinations were possessing significant desirable SCA effects for grain yield. The top cross combinations possessing significant desirable SCA effects for grain yield were P2 x P6, P7 x P8, P3 x P7 and P7 x P9 which may be used for obtaining high yielding hybrids in maize.

Author Biography

V. Kumar, S.K. Singh, N.P. Singh, V. Mahajan, DEPT. OF G.P.B., I.A.S., B.H.U., VARANASI
DEPT. OF G.P.B., I.A.S., B.H.U., VARANASI, 221005
Published
09-11-2016
How to Cite
V. Kumar, S.K. Singh, N.P. Singh, V. Mahajan
Combining ability studies for grain yield other agronomic traits in maize Zea mays L.. 2016. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 7 3, 544-554. Retrieved from https://www.ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/551
Section
Research Article