Genetic Studies for Growth and Yield Parameters in Germplasm of Desi and Quality protein Maize

Abstract

Eighty-eight (88) Maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm collections were tested using RCBD at Seed Breeding Farm during kharif 2012 and Rabi 2012-13, under Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, COA, JNKVV, Jabalpur. The objective of this study was to find out heritability, variability and genetic advance for some yield attributing traits. On the basis of pooled analysis the ANOVA on 17 quantitative traits for the genotypes in which mean sum of square of all the characters studied showed significant difference (P less than 0.05) among the tested genotypes except for grain yield per plant. A considerable amount of variability among germplasms for the traits studied also indicated the usefulness of selection for these traits in the genetic material used for population improvement programme in maize. The value of PCV and GCV both was found to be high for the character ear height from the ground 21.43 and 21.27 respectively. Estimates of heritability in broad sense ranged from (17.40%) in case of prop root to (98.50%) for ear height from ground, high heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance as percent of mean was found for traits like ear height from ground, ear weight and stem girth indicating that the presence of more additive gene effects for potential crop improvement and so these characters could be improved through selection. This study reveals that greater yield response could be obtained through direct selection scheme in maize germplasm.