Line × tester analysis for kernel yield and component traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Line × Tester analysis performed using 10 female and 4 male parental lines and their 40 hybrids in yellow maize. The analysis of variance showed that the enormity of sca variance was higher than the gca variance for all the traits except for days to tasseling, days to silking and ASI. The ratio of σ²_gca/σ²_sca was less than unity for all the characters except days to silking, which indicated predominance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Based on general combining ability (gca) effects, none of the parents was good general combiners for all the characters. Parental line IMR-33 was good general combiner for cob yield per plant, kernel yield per plant, plant height, ear height and cob length, while it was average for rest of the traits except days to dry husk. The cross combination VL-1032 × WNC 40218 exhibited highest significant positive sca effects for cob yield per plant (63.08) and kernel yield per plant (49.09). The cross BLD-329 × BLD-270 exhibited highest heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for both cob yield per plant and kernel yield plant.