Combining ability and gene action analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

In present study forty-five crosses produced from 9 lines and 5 testers using line × tester mating design were evaluated in Randomized Block Design. Estimation of general combining ability (GCA) gives important information for the selection of parents in terms of performance of hybrids and elucidate the nature and magnitude of gene action involved in the expression of quantitative characters. Present study was caried out to determine the type of gene action and identify inbred lines and crosses with good combining ability for yield and its contributing traits. Variance due to specific combining ability (SCA) was larger than general combining ability (GCA) for the all characters except plant height and ear height. It indicates the preponderance of non-additive gene action in expression of those character except plant height and ear height. Inbred lines WNC 40406 followed by BLD 2, BLD 125 and WNC 40080 showed good combining ability (gca) effect for yield and some of the important yield contributing characters. Among Forty-five hybrids, BLD 2 × BLD 103, WNC 40406 × BLD 125, BLD 114 × IMR 113, WNC 40456 × IMR 113 and BLD 114 × BLD 98 exhibited high specific combining ability (sca) effects for yield. These hybrids are recommended for further evaluation to determine their performance.