Combining ability studies for grain yield and its components and post-flowering stalk rot resistance in maize (Zea mays l.)

Line x tester analysis was conducted to study combining ability for yield, its components and post-flowering stalk rot disease resistance (PFSR) in maize. The mean sum of squares due to gca and sca were significant for all the characters indicating the presence of variability in combining ability of parents involved. Variances due to sca were larger than gca for all the characters indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action in expression of various traits studied. Among the lines CM-211 and BPPTI 38 were found to be the best general combiners for grain yield and PFSR disease resistance and likewise among hybrids, CM-120 x BPPTI-29, CM-207 x BPPTI-34, CM-120 x BPPTI 43 and CM-210 x BPPTI-34 were the best specific combiners for grain yield and PFSR disease resistance.