Evaluation of exotic maize inbreds for yield and yield contributing traits under rainfed environment

A field study was conducted to characterize 101 exotic maize inbreds for various yield and yield contributing traits along with 4 check inbreds at MBRSS, Poonch (J&K). One inbred CML322 proved superior over best check inbred CM111 for grain yield plant⁻¹ and gave 29.8% more yield. Five other lines also showed higher grain and biological yields over best check. In terms of dry stover yield 2 inbred CML142 and CML322 were superior over best check, whereas 8 lines were identified superior on the basis of checks mean. No line was found to be earlier in flowering and maturity to best check. Except days to 50% pollen shed, silking and maturity, all the morphological traits studied showed positive correlation with grain yield. A wide range of variability was seen in all the characters studied. Highest range of variation was exhibited by grain yield, followed by 100-kernel weight, kernels row⁻¹ and stem diameter, whereas lowest by ASI. Maturity among the lines ranged from 85 to 118 days. Heritability estimate was higher for most of the traits studied. On the basis of per se performance, various lines identified as source of donor traits for further use in breeding programme were CML322, CML186, CML169, CML311, CML373 and CML384 for higher grain and biological yields; CML142 and CML322 for dry stover yield; CML173, CML367, CML368, CML418, CML419 and CML420 for early maturity.