Gene Action Studies of Different Quantitative Traits in Maize

The present study was carried out to determine the type of gene action, genetic parameters of yield and other quantitative traits by crossing 8 diverse maize inbred lines in complete diallel fashion. Seed of F1 population along with their parents was planted in randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Analysis of variance showed that inbred lines differed significantly among each other for all traits. The estimates of components of genetic variation revealed that non additive genetic effects were more pronounced in the inheritance of plant height, days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, ear height and grain yield per plant. Directional dominance was observed for all the characters under study. Asymmetrical gene distribution was observed for all the attributes except ear height for which parental lines contained equal number of dominant and recessive genes. The graphic analysis showed that all the characters were under the genetic control of over dominance type of gene action, therefore, the material can easily be exploited for heterotic effect.