Line X tester analysis for fodder yield in maize

摘要

Line X tester analysis with six parents as females and five as males was carried out to know the combining ability on fodder traits in maize. Both additive and non-additive gene action controlled the fodder yield. Recurrent selection is suggested for further exploitation of fodder characteristics in maize. African Tall, as male, was best general combinor for green fodder yield (GFY), dry matter yield (DMY), leaf-stem ratio (LSR), basal stern girth (BSG) and number of leaves per plant (NLP) and days to 50% silking (D-50-S), whereas, GBM 84-2 was observed to be best general cornbinor for GFY, GMY, LSR and BSSG. The hybrid GBM 84-2 X African tall was identified as best cross for tallness, thickness of stem, more number of leaves, GFY and DMY but had delayed silking, and APFM-12 X Suwan was best for tallness, moderate thick stem, more number of leaves with added advantage of early silking.