HETEROSIS AND COMBINING ABILITY STUDIES IN EARLY VARIETIES OF MAIZE
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Date
1988
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Birsa Agricultural University
Abstract
Six open pollinated early maize varieties from diffe rent regions of our country comprised the base materials for the present investigation. The six varieties and their 15 's in a diallel set (excluding reciprocals) with an early check variety were grown in randomized block design under rainfed situation. The mean performance of parents and crosses and the expression of heterosis over mid-parent and better parent for nine characters were evaluated against the check variety through simple analysis of variance. The only variety A-76 (46.80 q/ha) significantly out yielded the check variety BALL-8041 (36.47 q/ha). Out of many significantly superior cross combinations over chock variety, J-2030 x BAU-7917(52.30 q/ha) was the best.
Heterosis was studied in 15 F cross combinations. For most of the characters the average heterosis was positive. The range and extent of heterosis for important characters were substantive. Heterosis for grain yield was quite high.
A diallel analysis of combining ability revealed pre dominant role of additive gene effects for days to silk and kernel rows/ear while other characters were predominantly controlled by non-additive gene action. The variety J-2030 was found to be best combiner for grain yield, ear length, kernel rows/ear and number of kornels/ear. Diara was good combiner for reduced maturity duration. The cross M-43 x Navin had the highest positive s.c.a. effect and was the best heterotic cross (37.9%) over better parent for grain yield.
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HETEROSIS AND COMBINING ABILITY STUDIES IN EARLY VARIETIES OF MAIZE