Heterosis studies in single crosses of inbred lines in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted involving 103 indigenous and exotic accessions of linseed germplasm during rabi 2011-12 and rabi 2012-13 at ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Akola with an objective to characterize the germplasm, assess the relative performance, estimate the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation among seed and oil yields with other traits. The magnitude of variability for qualitative traits like seed coat colour, petal colour, flower shape, flower size and seed size was relatively higher than that of growth habit, lodging tendency and seed lustre. High GCV was recorded for seed yield per plant and number of capsules per plant and low GCV for days to maturity and oil content. High heritability coupled with high GA was recorded for number of capsules per plant and seed yield per plant and low heritability and GA was recorded for oil content. Significant positive correlation was recorded between seed yield with number of capsules per plant, plant height, days to maturity and 1000 seed weight at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Seed oil content was positively correlated with 1000 seed weight