Combining ability studies for drought tolerance related traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

The breeding material generated from 8 x 8 diallel cross involving relatively drought tolerant and susceptible inbreds of maize was evaluated under irrigated, semi-irrigated and rainfed conditions. Significant differences for gca and sca effects for thirteen characters were observed in analysis of variance. The parents Ib3 and Ib8 were found to be having negative gca effect for days to 50% silking and anthesis silking interval (ASI). While, for relative water content, plant height, ear length ear diameter, number of ears per plant, number of kernels per row, 100-grain weight and grain yield per plant exhibited positive gca effects. The crosses Ib7 x Ib8 and Ib3 x Ib7 showed negative sea effects for days to 50% silking and ASI. These cross combinations had significantly positive sca effects for grain yield and yield components and suggested for further testing in moisture stress conditions.