Evaluation of S₂ Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines for Genetic Variability Studies Under Irrigated Condition

A study was carried out at Botanical garden, MARS Agriculture College, Dharwad during summer season 2013–14. Eighty S₂ progenies of selfed seeds along with twelve inbred lines, three composite populations and five checks were evaluated with two replications in lattice square design (10 x 10) under normal irrigated condition. The objective was to estimate genetic variability among eighty S₁ progenies under normal irrigated condition, analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences for 7 characters and 4 character showed significant difference except chlorophyll content at 60 days, chlorophyll content at 90 days, relative water content at 60 days, daystomaturity, plant height, ear height, cob girth, number of kernel rows per cob and number of kernels per row. Close resemblance between Genotypic correlation coefficient (GCV) and Phenotypic correlation coefficient (PCV) was observed for all traits indicating that selection for these characters would be effective. High heritability values for bulk cob weight, grain yield per plot, 50 per cent anthesis, 50 per cent silking and shelling percentage revealed that variation in these characters is largely controlled by heritable factors. Highheritability and high genetic advance as per cent mean was noticed for grain yield per plot and bulk cob weight indicative of additive gene action selection of these traits could help to obtain high yielding maize inbred lines.