Study of Genetic Parameters and their Related Statistics in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The genetic components analysis revealed highly significant additive (D) and non-additive (H₁ and H₂) components for almost all 14 traits studies in both the generations. The estimates of additive (D) genetic components were lower than non-additive (H₁ and H₂) components for all the attributes in F₁ and F₂ generation indicating the preponderance of the dominance components of variation. The nonsignificant or low estimates of D were further attested by low or medium values of narrow sense heritability. The magnitude of H₁ was greater than that of H₂ for all the traits across the generations, which indicated asymmetrical distribution of genes. This was further confirmed by the ratio (H/4H₁). For most of the characters positive and significant h values were recorded in F₁ generation only, owing to the positive mean direction of dominance.