Combining ability analysis in quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) for grain yield and its component traits

  • Ravi V. Mural and Chikkalingaiah
Keywords: Maize, Combining ability, GCA, gene action, QPM, SCA.

Abstract

A study was undertaken to estimate combining ability effects in maize for different characters in a line × tester programme
comprising 70 hybrids produced by crossing 14 lines and 5 testers. The interaction of line × tester was highly significant for
twelve traits studied except for protein content. Significant general and specific combining ability variance were observed for all
characters except protein content. The variance due to SCA was higher than GCA indicating the predominance of non-additive
type of gene action. The ratio of GCA:SCA variance was lower than unity for all characters indicating predominance of non -
additive gene action over additive gene action. Among the lines, genotype QPM 3 was found to be the best general combiner
with better mean performance for most yield contributing traits followed by QPM 1 and QPM 187. Among the testers, T 323-8
was found to be the best general combiner with better mean performance for most of the yield contributing traits followed by T
209 and T 295 genotypes. Among the crosses, QPM 35 × T 295 was superior with positive significant SCA effects and better
mean performance for grain yield and plant height. Similar superior positive significant SCA effects with better mean
performance were also observed in QPM 6 × T 295 (ear length, test weight and grain yield per plant) and QPM 43 × T 193-2
(ear length and grain yield per plant).
Published
30-06-2012
How to Cite
Ravi V. Mural and Chikkalingaiah
Combining ability analysis in quality protein maize Zea mays L. for grain yield and its component traits. 2012. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 3 2, 747-752. Retrieved from https://ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/491
Issue
Vol 3 No 2 (2012)
Section
Research Article

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