A 6 x 6 variety diallel cross without reciprocals in rabi maize revealed variances due to varieties (Vi), heterosis (hij) and its components were significant for all the characters studied. Parents CM-501, Harsha and Navjot had good varietal effect for earliness while parent Navjot and Laposta were good for grain yield, 100 grain weight, cob girth and cob length. Good varietal effect was also revealed by parent pool 16 for all the characters except days to silk and grain yield. Crosses Pool 16 x CM-501, Pool 16 x Laposta, Pool 16 x Harsha and Laposta x Tuxpeno squia Cs were identified as promising for possible use in developing broad base genetic population.
Variety cross diallel, yield components, winter maize
