Genetic parameters for quality traits in sweet corn (Zea mays L. Saccharata)

Abstract

The present study was consists of 26 sweet corn lines to study genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance estimates for quality traits in sweet corn. Analysis of variance for five quality traits viz., total sugar, reducing sugar, sucrose, total carbohydrates and starch revealed that high significant mean sum of squares for all the characters indicating greater diversity among the genotypes. The genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied were lesser than the phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) indicating the influence of environment under traits. High GCV and PCV values were observed for all the quality traits studied, suggesting that the sufficient variability thus offers scope for genetic improvement through selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for all the characters studied indicating the role of additive genes in governing the inheritance of these traits which could be improved through simple selection.