Department of Plant Breeding, U.P. Agricultural University, Pantnagar
1Publication under Journal series no 212 from Experiment Station, U.P.A.U., Pantnagar, Nainital.
The opaque-2 and normal kernels selected from the segregating ears of F2 and BC1 generations of four maize composites namely, Cuba 11J, Cuba V66, Waimea dent and Antigua 2D were compared for grain yield, ear length, ear diameter, shelling percentage and 1000-grain weight in a split plot design at U.P.A.U., Pantnagar.
The results obtained from these investigations indicated that the opaque-2 gene does not have any marked effect in increasing or decreasing the grain yield. There was no adverse effect at least in two components of yield namely, ear diameter and shelling percentage. A third component, i.e., length of the ear was not effected by opaque-2 gene in certain specific genetic backgrounds. A reduction in 1000-grain weight was observed on the incorporation of opaque-2 gene.
These findings indicate that it is possible to develop high yielding genotypes with high quality proteins by the incorporation of opaque-2 gene in selected genetic backgrounds.
