Genetic Analysis Of Grain Yield And Other Agronomic Traits Of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Under Water Stress And Non-Water Stress Condition

📄 Project Abstract

The study was set out to estimate heterosis, combining ability, heritability, gene action and correlation of grain yield and other agronomic traits under water stress and non-water stress conditions. Seven maize varieties were crossed to six inbred lines resulting in 42 top cross hybrids. The 13 parents, 42 hybrids and a check were evaluated for drought tolerance under water stress and non-water stress conditions at the Institute for Agricultural Research Station farms at Samaru and Kadawa during 2012/2013 dry season. Data were collected for number of days to 50% tasseling (DT), number of days to 50% silking (DS), anthesis-silking interval (ASI), plant height (PHT), ear height (EHT), leaf senescence (SEN), number of ears per plant (NEP) and grain yield (GY). Among the top cross hybrids, Sammaz 34 x P2 recorded the highest GY (2030.99kg/ha) which was 44.6% higher than the check under non-water stress condition and 143% increase relative to the check under severe-water stress condition. ...