Study of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred lines

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to study genetic parameters for ten traits viz., days to 50% anthesis and days to 50% silking, plant height, ear height, ear length, ear girth, kernel rows, kernels per row, 100 grain weight and total grain yield per hectare during kharif and rabi seasons of 2023-24. Using an Alpha Lattice Design, 150 inbred lines were planted in two replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences across all traits with phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) generally higher than genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV). The highest PCV and GCV were observed for ear height (kharif: 27.59, 23.48; rabi: 25.03, 20.94) and total grain yield (kharif: 51.26, 47.60; rabi: 38.85, 38.65). Broad-sense heritability was highest for total grain yield (Kharif-86.34, rabi-88.97) in the both seasons. The high heritability of these traits indicates their potential for successful transmission to offspring, enabling efficient selection. High heritability combined with high genetic advance was observed for ear height and total grain yield in both seasons, suggesting these traits as promising targets for improvement through selection driven by additive genetic factors.