Vol. 7, Issue 11 (2018)

Author(s):
ZA Dar, AA Lone, S Naseer, F Rasool, AM Iqbal, S Gulzar and N Yousuf

Abstract:
The study involved quality protein maize (QPM) inbreds in a line × tester programme comprising twenty-four hybrids produced by crossing eight QPM lines with three testers. Eight inbred lines (KDQPM-13, KDQPM-14, KDQPM-20, KDQPM-21, KDQPM-49, KDQPM-50, KDQPM-58 and KDQPM-60) were crossed with three testers (VQL1, VQL2 and VQL17) to produce twenty four F₁ hybrids during Kharief 2015. Twenty four F₁ hybrids were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with two replications during Kharief 2016 and 2017 at Dryland (Karewa) Agricultural Research Station. Significant genetic differences were observed for mean squares of treatments for all traits under study. KDQPM-60 was identified as a good general combiner for grain yield plant^-1 followed by KDQPM-21 and KDQPM-50. Also, KDQPM-60 was accompanied with significant and desirable GCA effects for days to 50 percent tasseling, days to 50 percent silking, number of kernels row^-1, 100 grain weight, and protein content and hence can be selected for the development of QPM hybrids. Among the crosses, KDQPM-50 × VQL-1, KDQPM-60 × VQL-17 and KDQPM-13 × VQL-17 exhibited highly significant and desirable SCA effects for grain yield plant^-1.