Indian Journal of Agricultural Research

Combining ability and heterosis for grain yield and growth characters was studied in maize through line × tester mating design using nine lines and four testers along with check COH(M)4. Combining ability analysis showed the predominant role of non-additive gene action for all the characters studied. The lines UMI 199 and UMI 278 and the testers UMI 217 and UMI 314 had recorded high per se and gca for yield and majority of the characters studied. The hybrid UMI 278 ´ UMI 217 and UMI 334 ´ UMI 217 had significant and superior per se performances for grain yield per plant. The hybrid UMI 348 ´ UMI 330 exhibited high sca effect for plant height. Growth influencing characters positively influenced hybrid performance in grain yield. The hybrid UMI 278 ´ UMI 217 was observed as best and followed by UMI 334 ´ UMI 217 are potential hybrids for exploitation of yield heterosis.