Genetics of grain yield and its component traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

The six essential generations (2 parents, F₁, F₂ and backcrosses) of the cross NAI-137 * 97B developed from two parents distinguishable for grain yield were evaluated to construe the genetics of grain yield and its component quantitative traits during Kharif, 2019 at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India. The expanse and direction of the additive genetic effects [a], dominance genetic effects [d], magnitudes of additive genetic variance (σ²_A and dominance genetic variance (σ²_D differed with various traits under study. Additive and ambidirectional dominant effects were involved in controlling most of the traits. Steep magnitudes of additive genetic effects [d] in desirable direction for most of the traits indicated the possibility of retrieving prudent segregants in early segregating generations while exercising pedigree method of handling progenies generated. It was evident from the results obtained that there was dispersion of genes among both the parents for all the traits studied.