Department of Plant Breeding, G. P. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
2Present addresses: Department of Plant Breeding, Agricultural College, Bapatla and International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria, respectively.
1Part of M.Sc. (Ag.) thesis submitted by senior author to the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar.
Normal and opque-2 kernels selected from the segregating ears of seven F2 crosses were tested for kernel moisture content at different sampling dates, moisture loss, per cent reduction in moisture content and rate of moisture loss in a trial laid down in the split plot design, at Pantnagar. The results indicated that opaque-2 populations had higher moisture content than the normal. However, the opaque-2 gene had variable effect in different genetic backgrounds. The moisture loss as also the per cent reduction in moisture content during 4-days interval was more in opque-2 than in the normal except at the last 4-days interval. Opaque-2 populations had a higher rate of moisture loss than the normal, though differences were significant only in two genotypes. The data indicated the possibility of obtaining opaque-2 lines with equal drying rates.
