Heterosis for yield traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

In this study, a set of eight parents, fifty-six F1s (direct and reciprocals), and two standard checks were evaluated during the rabi season of 2019 with two replications in a randomized block design at the research farm of All India Coordinated Research Project on maize, Rahuri center, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar. The cross combination DS-NP/R-8-42 x 52099 exhibited high per se performance and highly significant standard heterosis for almost all the studied characters. Similarly, the combinations 52099 x IC-331144, DS-NP/R-8-42 x IC-331144, and 52099 x DML-1112 showed high per se performance with highly significant better parent and standard heterosis for kernel yield, yield-contributing characters, and quality traits across all three environments. Among all the crosses, DS-NP/R-8-42 x 52099 emerged as the superior hybrid, ranking 1st for per se performance and displaying the highest magnitude of standard heterosis for kernel yield per plant, along with other desirable traits. These crosses warrant further evaluation in multilocation trials and hold potential for utilization as high-performing hybrids.