EVALUATION OF TESTCROSSES OF S1 LINES FOR MORPHOLOGICAL AND MATURITY TRAITS IN MAIZE

This study was conducted at the Plant Breeding and Genetics Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar and Cereal Crop Research Institute, Pirsabak, Nowshera, to evaluate the performance of testcrosses derived from maize variety Azam and a hybrid ‘WD-3×6’ and further, to identify superior testcrosses for improved yield. The experiment was completed in two growing seasons i.e. Spring (March-June) and Summer (July- October) during 2007. Results revealed highly significant differences among the testcrosses for maturity traits, plant and ear heights while non significant differences were observed for anthesis silking interval (ASI). Plant and ear heights revealed significant G × L interactions. Testcrosses AzTC-17, AzTC-19, AzTC-20, AzTC-25, AzTC-26 and AzTC-36 manifested the lowest ASI value whereas test cross AzTC-16 had medium plant height and optimum (50 cm) ear placement and may have the potential for lodging resistance. AzTC-25 was highest yielding (7095 kg ha-1) test cross with moderate heritability value. Heritability estimates of all the traits studied were low to moderate indicating a relatively high environmental influence on the expression of these traits.