Paper Details

Investigation of genetic control for yield and related traits in maize (Zea mays L.) lines derived from temperate and sub-tropical germplasm

Mohammad Motamedi, Rajab choukan, Eslam majidi hervan, Mohammad Reza Bihamta, Farokh Darvish Kajouri

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/5.12.123-129

Int. J. Biosci. 5(12), 123-129. December, 2014. (PDF)

Abstract:

Combining ability estimation are important genetic attributes for maize breeders in anticipating improvement in productivity via hybridization and selection. This research was carried out to investigation the genetic structure of the 28 F1 maize hybrids established from seven exotic lines derived from temperate germplasm of CIMMYT and four local testers (sub-tropical germplasm), to determine general  combining ability (GCA) and determine crosses showing specific combining ability (SCA). 28 F1 hybrids and two check commercial hybrids were studied in randomized complete block (RCB) Design with three replications during 2011. The results of mean squares showed significant differences among 7 lines for day to tassel, day to silk and anthesis-silking interval. Four testers were significantly different for kernel yield, day to silking, ASI (anthesis-silking interval). Highly significant differences were observed for line x tester interaction for all traits except day to plant maturity, day of silking to plant maturity and anthesis-silking interval. Estimates of variance due to GCA and SCA and their ratio revealed predominantly non-additive gene effects for all studied traits. Lines with the best GCA effects were: ‘L4’ for grain yield, day to tassel and day to silk, L5 had highly positive significant for anthesis-silking interval. L6 Line was undesired GCA effects for grain yield. The hybrids L7 × T2 showed significant positive SCA effects for kernel yield. The hybrids L1×T1 and L6 × T1 showed significant negative SCA effects for day to silk. Therefore, these hybrids may be preferred for hybrid crop development.