Combining ability analysis for yield and its component traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Combining ability analysis for yield and its component traits was performed with twenty four lines, three testers and the resulting 72 hybrids using Line x Tester analysis. The interaction of Line x Tester was highly significant for all the characters studied except number of leaves per plant. Variance due to sca was greater than gca variance for the traits viz., grain yield per plant, cob diameter, cob length, plant height, ear height, leaf length, 100 grain weight, grain rows per cob, days to 50 per cent tasseling and days to 50 per cent silking. The variance due to SCA was higher than due to GCA indicating the predominance of non-additive type of gene action in the governance of above mentioned traits. Among the lines, the line UMI 1093 was found as the best general combiner with better mean performance for most of the yield contributing traits followed by UMI 1044-7, UMI 1053-6, UMI 1029-5 and UMI 2244-1. Considering the testers, UMI 61 was found as the best general combiner with better mean performance for most of the yield contributing traits followed by UMI 1119. Among the crosses, UMI 1044-7 x UMI 61 was found to be the superior with positive significant SCA effects and better mean performance for grain yield, cob length and grains per row. Similar superior positive significant SCA effects with better mean performance were also observed in UMI 1093 x UMI 61 (grain yield per plant) and UMI 2244-1 x UMI 1119 (grain yield per plant and grain rows per cob).