Morphological Traits as Descriptors for Characterization of Important Composites of Maize in Kashmir Valley

The objective of the study was to analyze the variation in morphological characteristics of important composites of maize grown in Jammu and Kashmir. Identification key for characterizing the maize genotypes was based on different morphological traits and significant differences were observed among the genotypes and all the genotypes could be identified on the basis of these particular morphological traits. There was consistency of the results from the replicated plots indicating reliability of these traits as a tool for genotypes identification and their subsequent characterization. Morphological traits are widely accepted in plant variety protection, registration, and inscription and patenting as descriptors that are capable of showing identity, uniformness and distinctness.