Combining ability and stability studies for grain yield and quality parameters in QPM (Zea mays L.) inbred line crosses

Abstract

Studies on combining ability, stability and G x E interaction were carried out at two locations (Hyderabad and Allahabad) and in two seasons (Kharif 2003 and Kharif 2004) for grain yield and three quality parameters viz., protein content, oil content and tryptophan content in 45 single cross hybrids developed using 10 x 10 diallel set (excluding reciprocals). From this study it is inferred that, the three hybrids P4 x P7, P2 x P6 and P5 x P10 were considered as most stable and good specific combiners for grain yield and quality parameters (protein, oil and tryptophan content) along with higher per se values for the four characters studied. These hybrids can be exploited as better QPM hybrids for commercialization across the wide environments through heterosis breeding and also for the derivation of QPM inbred lines in segregating generations. Among the ten parents, the parents P3 and P1were found to be the best parents for grain yield, while, the parents P4, P7 and P2 for protein, oil and tryptophan content.