Abstract
A line x tester analysis involving sixty four test-crosses generated by crossing 32 elite maize inbred lines with two testers and two standard checks was evaluated for yield and yield related traits in 6x11 alpha lattice design replicated twice during 2017 cropping season at Bako National Maize Research Center. The study was designed to estimate the amount of standard heterosis of the hybrids for grain yield and yield related traits. From this study, considerable standard heterosis for all traits over both commercial checks was manifested. For grain yield, the highest standard heterosis was recorded for L17xT1 (61.75 %) and (41.46%) over BH546 and BH547, respectively, indicating the presence of substantial heterotic potential that could be exploited in maize breeding program and possibility of developing desirable cross combinations through crossing of inbred lines with desirable traits of interest. Cross L3xT2 manifested negative standard heterosis over BH546 and BH547 for days to anthesis, silking and maturity that indicate earliness of the crosses in maturity as compared to both standard checks. Similarly, most of the crosses showed positive standard heterosis for biomass yield, harvest index, ear per plant, ear length, ear diameter, rows per ear, kernel per rows and thousand kernel weights over both commercial checks. In general, information from this study could be valuable for researchers who intend to develop high yielding maize varieties. Keywords : Maize, Standard Heterosis, Grain Yield. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-4-03 Publication date: February 28 th 2021
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world agricultural economy
Analysis of variance was conducted for all the traits and it showed that mean squares due to genotypes were significant (P
The significant mean squares due to genotypes for all the traits studied indicated the existence of variability among the genotypes, which could be exploited for the future improvement of the traits
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world agricultural economy It is a vital cereal crop for global food security, as its importance is seen in the wide economic uses ranging from direct human consumption to processing into other food materials, animal feeds, and industrial products. It ranked first among the cereal with an annual global production of more than one billion metric tons (FAOSTAT, 2016). Despite the large area under maize, the national average yield of maize is about 3.9 t/ha (CSA, 2018). This study was designed to determine the magnitude of standard heterosis for yield and yield related traits of maize inbred lines
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