COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD AND EAR CHARACTERS IN MAIZE

摘要

Combining ability analysis was conducted using line x tester design in maize inbred lines for yield and yield contributing traits. The sca variance was observed to be more important for all the traits studied. The inbreds DMR-201, CM-119 and CM-121 were good general combiner for grain yield per plant and most of their yield contributing traits. These parents should be extensively used in the crossing programme to exploit maximum genetic variability and isolate transgressive segregant for grain yieldand its components. The Cross CM-121 x DMR-201 showed high sca effects and heterosis for its consistent performance over the wide range of environments. Other crosses viz., CM-119 x DMR-40E, CM-104 x AML-420 and CM-119 x DMR-201 also showed high better parent heterosis and significant sca effects for grain yield.