Combining Ability Analysis for Maturity and Other Agronomic Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) Under Temperate Conditions

A full diallel cross comprising seven inbred lines was studied for ten characters to determine the nature of gene action in parents and hybrid population. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences for general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) indicated the presence of additive as well as non additive gene effects for controlling the traits. However, relative magnitude of these variances indicated that additive gene effects were more prominent for all the characters studied except grain yield/plant. PMI 67 was the best combiner for all the traits under study except for prolificacy index whereas PMI 298 showed highest significant positive gca effect for yield as well as for prolificacy index. Thirty four crosses exhibited significant positive sca effects for grain yield. The crosses showing significant sca effects for yield involved high × high, high × low and low × low general combiners as parents and could be exploited for hybrid vigour.