Genetic variability studies involving drought tolerance related traits in maize (<em>Zea mays </em>L.) in breds

Abstract

Thirty maize in breds were evaluated for twelve traits and the experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant difference for all the characters. Higher estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were registered for anthesis-silking interval followed by cob height. All the characters showed marked differences between GCV and PCV estimates indicating that substantial variation for these characters was contributed by environmental components. The heritability estimates were found to be very high for plant height, 100 seed weight, cob length, days to tasseling, cob diameter, days to silking, grain yield hectare-1and kernel rows cob-1. High genetic advance was recorded for plant height. Grain yield per hectare exhibited high significant positive correlation with cob diameter, cob height, 100 seed weight, number of kernels row-1, plant height and kernels cob-1. The significant positive correlation of these traits indicates the importance of these traits in selection for yield. This study gave an insight into the variability pattern of the inbred lines which will be helpful in their further utilization.