Direct selection parameter estimates for yield and its contributing traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Heritability and Genetic advance are the direct selection parameters. Information on such parameters has great importance in enhancing the selection efficiency. Therefore, in the present investigation 77 maize genotypes including 54 F1s, 18 lines, 3 testers and 2 check varieties were evaluated in relation to direct selection parameters for different quantitative traits. All the genotypes showed significant variability for all the characters studied. High values (>20%) of genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) were recorded for the traits, grain yield per plant, kernels per cob, cob weight and kernels per row. The traits such as seed vigour index, seedling length, cob length, cobs per plant 100-kernel weight, plant height and kernel rows per cob showed moderate values (10-20%) of GCV and PCV. For almost all the traits the values of GCV and PCV were almost similar but for cob diameter GCV was low while PCV was high indicated that all the traits had low environmental influence except cob diameter that had high environmental influence. High estimates of heritability coupled with high estimates of genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for the traits grain yield per plant, kernels per cob, cob weight, kernels per row, seed vigour index, seedling length, 100-kernel weight, cob length, plant height, cobs per plant and kernel rows per cob. This indicated the role of additive gene effect in the inheritance of these traits; therefore, such traits could be improved through simple selection.