Study on per se performance and heterosis for kernel yield and its attributing traits in maize [Zea mays (L.)]

The phenomenon of heterosis has provided the most important genetic tools in improving yield of crop plants. Identification of specific parental combination capable of producing the highest level of heterotic effects in F1 has immense value for commercial exploitation of heterosis. The experimental material comprised of eight parental lines, 28 F1 hybrids with one standard check (GAYMH-1). On the basis of per se values, the parents CML 338, VL-1032 and BLD-11 were recorded maximum kernel yield per plant, while in case of hybrids, CBE-98 × BLD-11, CBE-98 × MRCN-3 and CBE-26 × BLD-11 were best for kernel yield per plant. The population mean for kernel yield per plant was 99.74 gm. Among the 28 hybrids, 4 hybrids i.e. CBE-26 × MRCN-3, CBE-26 × VL-109178, VL-109178 × MRCN-3 and CBE-98 × MRCN-3 manifested significant and desirable heterosis over mid parent, better parent and economic heterosis over check (GAYMH-1) for kernel yield per plant and other component traits viz.cob weight, cob length, cob girth, 100-kernel weight, number of kernel row per cob and number of kernel per row.