Detection of Promising Inbred Lines of Maize from New Germplasm for Heterotic Breeding in Different Seasons

Line x tester analysis involving thirty new second cycle inbred lines (derived from private hybrids, new hybrids and few introductions) of maize were crossed with four testers using line x tester mating design. The resultant 120 F₁ hybrids alongwith the check hybrid, thirty inbred lines and four testers were evaluated in randomized block design in three replications at Ludhiana. Data were recorded on ten random competitive plants for nine quantitative traits viz; days to silk, plant height, ear height, number of ears per plant, ear length, ear girth, number of kernel rows per ear, 1000 grain weight and grain yield per plant. Both additive and non-additive gene actions were observed important for expression of these traits except number of kernel rows per ear. Study further reveals that selection among lines would be more effective during rabi season. The lines derived from hybrids of public sector viz; L2, L5 and L10 and among testers T1 were found good combiners in both seasons and thus can be exploited in both seasons.