Effect of pollination methods on growth, maturity, seed yield and yield components in open-pollinated varieties of maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize being a cross-pollinated crop increases the complexity of the breeding scheme. Controlled pollination has been carried out in maize for the development of improved cultivars. Maize is favored for controlled pollination for scientific investigation because of the ease with which selfing and crossing are made. The present study was undertaken to analyse the effect of different pollination methods on growth, maturity, seed yield and yield components in open-pollinated varieties of maize. Two open-pollinated varieties (SMC-6 and SMC-7) of maize were evaluated. The seed material was developed by using five different pollination methods viz., Viz., bulk pollination method (M₁), isolated random method (M₂), half sib pollination method (M₃), isolated half-sib nursery method (M₄) and reciprocal full sib method (M₅). The seeds were then evaluated for growth, maturity, seed yield and yield components in a randomised block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant variability for days to 50 per cent silking, plant height, ear height and seed yield due to variety (V), pollination method (M) and their interactions (VxM). Whereas significant variability was observed for days to 50 per cent pollen shedding due to variety and pollination method only and interaction for these two traits were non-significant. ANOVA also revealed significant variability for days to 75 per cent dry husk due to pollination method and VxM. The significant variability was observed for ear length and 100 seed weight only due to varieties. Significant differences were observed between SMC-6 and SMC-7 concerning traits viz., days to 50 per cent pollen shedding and silking, plant and ear height, ear length, 100 seed weight and seed yield. The study revealed that a suitable pollination method needs to be standardized in open-pollinated varieties for improvement of the yield.