Heterosis and combining ability for quality and yield in early maturing single cross hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.)

Combining ability analysis was conducted in early maturing maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines for quality and yield attributes. Both additive and non additive gene effects were present in the material under study. However, the ratio of additive/non additive genetic variance revealed that there was preponderance of non additive gene action in the expression of yield per plant, protein content and starch content, while for oil content and 10G-grain weight there was preponderance of additive gene action. Inbred line χ₂W-3232-1-1-1-1 was good general combiner for all the three quality traits along with grain yield. Inbred line χ₁W-1527-2-2-1-1 was also good general combiner for all the three quality traits along with 10G-grain weighl Single cross Pop.30-5044-2 x CD<W-113-2-1-2-1 had positive significant sca effects for oil content along with grain yield per plant and 100-grain weight with highest estimate of economic heterosis for oil content. In general, parental inbreds possessed high per se perfonnance for quality traits along with grain yield per plant and 10G-grain weight. Significant economic heterosis for starch and protein in content could not be obtained.