Author(s):

Ekhlaque Ahmad and Abdul Majid Ansari

Abstract: Combining ability and heterosis for yield and its contributing traits was studied in 7 parental in a diallel scheme. The purpose of the study was to identify and select superior parents and best hybrid combinations on the basis of estimates of general and specific combining abilities. The highest percentage of economic heterosis for grain per ear was observed by the cross CML-49 x DMR-3010. Crosses CML-80 x BVM-2 and DMR-3010 x BVM-2 showed significant negative heterosis for days to maturity.Both general combing ability (GCA) and specific combing ability (SCA) variances were significant for grain yield and all yield component characters, except GCA variances for ear height. Almost equal role of additive and non-additive gene actions was observed for days to maturity. Additive genetic variance was preponderant for grains per ear and 1000-grain weight and non-additive gene action was involved in plant height, ear height, days to silking and days to maturity. The combining ability effects revealed that parents DMR-3010, DMR-3004 and Local 99-B were identified as good general combiners for grain yield and for most of the characters. The crosses, BVM-2 x Chandan-3, BVM-2 x DMR-3004 and BVM-2 x Local 99-B were good specific combiner for grain yield and either two or more component traits. Considering the overall performances, the inbred lines/genotypes DMR-3010 and DMR-3004 may be utilized for the development of F1 hybrid in maize.

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