Heterosis and combining ability through diallel method in maize (Zea mays L.)

An experimental was conducted which comprised of 7 genotypes of Maize that were selected on the basis of Qualitative traits, Duration, Suitable for Kharif season and Yield. These seven inbred lines were crossed according to a half diallel crosses mating design to obtain 21single crosses in Kharif season 2018. In Rabi season 2018-19, all 28 genotypes, which included 7 parental inbred lines and 21 F1s were planted in a complete RBD with each two plots in the following growing season. Significant variance due to GCA and SCA indicated the importance of additive as well as non- additive components in the inheritance of respective traits. The ratio of variances due to GCA/SCA was less than unity for all the characters except no. of cobs per plant and seed yield per cob which indicated the preponderance of non additive components in the inheritance of these characters. The overall results indicated that P1, P2 and P4 were the most desirable parents as they possessed high GCA effect for most of the characters. Among F1 crosses P4x P3, P3x P1, P5x P3 and P7 x P5 were found to be desirable for yield and yield attributing characters. Seven crosses which out yielded over check hybrid were P1 x P6, P2 x P7, P2x P5, P1 x P2, P3x P4, P5 x P7 and P3 x P5. These crosses have high per se performance and thus, could also be used in future breeding programme to obtain segregants for yield.