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Combining ability and heterosis in diallel crosses of maize

Theoretical and Applied Genetics volume 49, pages 117–122 (1977)Cite this article

Summary

The present investigation involved crosses among 20 elite yellow maize populations. These were evaluated in four environments in a randomized block design with four replications in each environment. Variety Cuba was observed to be the best general combiner for grain yield, followed by St Croix and Prolific. No clear association could be discerned between general combining ability (GCA) effects for grain yield and its components, and mean grain yield performance and GCA effects. Heterosis was observed in general and all the crosses involving Cuba yielded better than the midparent. The five hybrids, Kisan × Cuba, Antigua 3D × St Croix, Prolific × St Croix, Vijay × Antigua Gr. I and A 23 × Cuba, yielded more than the standard check. Significant yield superiority of these varietal hybrids over the best commercial composite (Jawahar) suggested the possibility of their commercial exploitation.

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Affiliations

  1. Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India

    B. S. Dhillon & J. Singh

  2. Department of Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, 141004, Ludhiana, India

    B. S. Dhillon

Authors
  1. B. S. Dhillon
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  2. J. Singh
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Additional information

Part of the thesis submitted by the senior author in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree

Communicated by B.R. Murty

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Dhillon, B.S., Singh, J. Combining ability and heterosis in diallel crosses of maize. Theor Appl Genet 49, 117–122 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00281709

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00281709

Keywords

  • Flint
  • General Combine Ability
  • General Combine Ability Effect
  • Varietal Hybrid