Gene action and combining ability for dual purpose traits in maize (Zea mays L.) under water deficit stress prevailing in eastern India

The present experiment dealt with for performance of newly developed inbred, development of newer hybrid combinations, their performance under water deficit stress (WDS) condition and nature gene action governing the green fodder yield, grain yield and yield attributing traits in maize. Twenty-Four F₁’s were developed in Line x Tester mating design using drought tolerant tester as donor. All the hybrids, parents and checks were evaluated under 7 WDS prevailing in eastern India in wet season 2013 and dry 2013–14. Significant response for genotypes and WDS were observed for forage and grain yield traits. Out of the all genetic materials, the lines BAUIM-2, BAUIM3 and HKI-1532 were desirable for crossing for high fodder yield. But for grain yield BAUIM-2, BAUIM-3, BAUIM5, HKI-1532 and HKI-488 were suitable because of good general combing ability. The best three hybrids suitable for both dual purpose and WDS condition were BAUIM-2 x HKI-1532, BAUIM-3 x HKI-1532 and BAUIM-5 x HKI1532. The degree of dominance was >1, which indicated that dominant gene action was prominent for forage yield and grain yield traits. It also indicated that the parents expressing more number of dominant genes for traits under WDS would produce the hybrids suitable.