Study of Combining Ability and Stability in Maize (Zea mays L.)

An investigation was carried out in diallel fashion with the main objectives to evaluate the general combining ability of parents, specific combining ability of crosses and breeding values of genotypes for population improvement. Forty-five F1's along with ten parents and two checks were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Genotypes indicated the presence of considerable variability for both additive and non-additive gene effects. The magnitude of the component of variances indicated the importance of non-additive genetic variation and its interaction with the environments for eleven traits whereas, it indicated the importance of additive genetic variance for the traits 500 kernel weight. The parent CM 601was identified as the best general combiner for grain yield and its component traits. Although, it was average combiner for early maturity and the best combiner for ear length, girth and number of kernel rows. Similarly, the parents CML-3, POP 49 and CML-107 were also identified as a good general combiner for grain yield and yield attributing traits. The cross combination {(M9 x CM601) X CML 3}was found to be a best specific combination for grain yield and yield attributing traits followed by (CML-83 x CML-14), (Pop 34 x CML-14) and (CM601 x Pop 34) and these crosses were found to be promising for desirable traits. These parents may be exploited in the development of hybrid maize for higher and stable yield.