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

B. S.  NISARGA; KAVERA   BIRADAR; B. D.    BIRADAR; M. R.   RAVIKUMAR

B. S. NISARGA Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, DharwadUniversity of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India
KAVERA BIRADAR Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, DharwadUniversity of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India
B. D. BIRADAR Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, DharwadUniversity of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India
M. R. RAVIKUMAR Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, DharwadUniversity of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India

Keywords: Combining ability, Diallel, Heterosis, Maize

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at Botany garden, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, withthe view of assessing the combining ability, nature of gene action with respect to yield and its related traits during kharif2019. A total of ten newly developed inbred lines were crossed in half diallel mating system to derive forty-five single crosshybrids. The ratio of GCA to SCA revealed that the expressions of traits under the study were predominantly controlled bynon-additive gene action. The lines viz., DMIL 17 and DMIL 30 were identified as best general combiners with better meanperformance for grain yield. Among crosses, DMIL 7 × DMIL 30, DMIL 11 × DMIL 15 and DMIL 5 × DMIL 8 exhibitedhighest significant SCA effects for grain yield. These hybrids need to be further evaluated across locations and over seasonsto select best hybrids for commercial exploitation.