Author(s):

Neha Rani, RBP Nirala and Shivasankar Acharya

Abstract: The investigation was carried out on gene action and combining ability in quantitative traits of crosses of 7 diverse maize inbred lines in a full diallel mating design. Forty two F₁progenies along with their parents and checks were planted in randomized complete block design with three replications in two spring environments (January, 2016 and March, 2016). Pooled analysis of variance revealed that all the genotypes were found to be highly significant mean squares due to GCA, SCA, RSCA and their interactions with environments for all the characters except due to reciprocal x environment for 500-seed weight. Variance due to GCA was more than variance due to SCA and reciprocal for the characters viz., days to 50% silk, pollen viability, anthesis-silking interval, cell membrane thermo stability, days to 50 per cent physiological maturity, grain filling period, grains per plant, 500-seed weight and shelling percentage and it indicated that these characters were controlled by additive gene action. Variance due to SCA was more than variance due to GCA and reciprocal for the characters, namely, days to 50 % anthesis, plant height, ear height, grain yield per plant and it indicated that these characters were controlled by non-additive gene action. The parent CML 411 was found to be good general combiner for grain yield per plant, whereas, parents CML 164, CML 304, CML 306, and CML 307 were found to be average combiners for grain yield. The cross CML 411 (P₂) x CML 307 (P₇) was found to be the best experimental hybrid on the basis of SCA, GCA and standard heterosis for grain yield over the environments.

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