Genetic variance and heritability of some ear traits in prolific maize (Zea mays L.) VP Mani, NP Gupta, GS Bisht, Rajesh Singh

logo.pngGenetic variance and heritability of some ear traits in prolific maize (Zea mays L)

 

VP Mani1, NP Gupta2, GS Bisht1, Rajesh Singh3

                                      1Division of Crop Improvement, VPKAS, Almora-263601, Uttrakhand, India

                                         2DMR, Cummings Laboratory, IARI, New Delhi 110 012

                                            3Genetics and Plant Breeding, IAS, BHU, Varanasi-221005

                                          Received: 26 March 2012                     Revised Accepted: 28 April 2012

 

                            ABSTRACT

Full-sib and half-sib families of one generation advanced population of a cross between N3 x J1 were developed in the population using NCD1 and were evaluated at experimental fields of Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora (1250 m amsl) using normal and high plant densities. The results revealed that additive composite were significant for ears per plant (Prolificacy), ear diameter, and kernel rows per ear, 100 kernel weight, ear grain weight and total grain yield. Heritability and expected genetic gains were highest for ear grain weight followed by total grain yield and ears per plant. The results also revealed 2 to 4 time’s superior effect of a cycle of full-sib selection over mass selection.

 

Key Words: Genetic Variance, Heritability, Maize, Mass selection, Prolificacy