Combining ability for polygenic traits in early maturing hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Combining ability analysis using line x tester design was conducted in white seed colour early maturing maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines for yield and yield contributing characters. There was greater contribution of lines towards cr'lgca for all the traits. Inbred lines viz., X1W-1627-1-1 and X2W-3997-2-1-7 were good general combiners for all the characters except 100-grain weight. Tester CO(W) was good general combiner for grain yield per plant, grain cob ratio and straw yield per plant. Among the selected hybrids, two parent (TP) conventional single cross hybrid exhibited highest magnitude of positive significant sca effect with highest magnitude of significant positive economic heterosis for grain yield per plant and it was followed in descending order by the multiparent (MP) conventional three way cross and nonconventional two parent (TP) top cross hybrid.