Study of combining ability using QPM donors as testers for yield and yield traits in maize (Zea mays l.)

Abstract

Ten maize inbreds were crossed as female parent to 8 testers (QPM donors) as male parents to generate 80 F1 crosses. The 99 genotypes including hybrids along with their parents and check were evaluated in randomized complete block design to estimate the GCA and SCA of parents as well as crosses. Combining ability analysis revealed that significant mean square was due to line GCA for all traits except shelling per cent while tester GCA was significant only for 100 grain weight. Mean square due to SCA was significant for all traits. Variance due to SCA was greater than GCA for most of the traits and variance due to GCA was greater than SCA for 100 grain weight indicating the predominance of non-additive and additive type of gene action, respectively. The crosses CM 141 × CML 161, V335 × CML 141, V351 × CML 141 were the best hybrids based on per se performance and SCA effects. The line V335 and the testers CML 141 was found to be the best general combiner for yield and yield contributing traits. Currently, based on combining ability estimates the lines V335 and V351 are being converted into QPM lines using QPM donor CML 141 to develop local QPM hybrid. © Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania (SABRAO) 2015.