Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Yield and Kernel Iron and Zinc Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Author: Pavan Devesh, Rajesh Singh, Kartikeya Srivastava, M. Shankar, Pargat Singh and Munnesh Kumar

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Abstract

Maize is one of the important cereal crop cultivated around the world. Micronutrients malnutrition is a major concern in the peoples of developing countries. Present study was done to estimate the genetic parameters of forty-six maize genotypes (inbred lines) collected from CIMMYT, Hyderabad and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. The research experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi during Kharif 2018. ANOVA indicated a significant difference among maize genotypes for all the characters. Genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was lower than phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) for all the characters. Highest heritability (bs) was detected for plant height followed by kernel zinc content, kernel iron content, grain yield per plant, days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking and cob length without husk. Highest genetic advance was observed for plant height whereas, the highest genetic advance as percentage of mean (GAM) was observed for kernel zinc content followed by kernel iron content, 100 seed weight and cob length without husk. The findings of the present investigation indicated the presence of enough genetic variability among the maize genotypes analysed, which can be exploited for maize improvement programs and development of cultivars/hybrids to enrich iron and zinc content in maize kernels.

Keywords

Maize, PCV, GCV, heritability, iron and zinc

Conclusion

Maize inbred lines exhibited a significant variation for all the traits studied. High heritability with high genetic advance was observed for plant height. Based on mean performance, promising maize inbreds were identified for kernel iron content viz., CML-229, VL-109524, HUZM-242 and VL-1016211; for zinc content viz., HUZM-97-1-2, VL-109309, VL-109582, HUZM-77 and VL-1028. These maize inbreds can be utilize for the improvement of iron and zinc content through appropriate breeding methods. Identified maize inbred lines with high micronutrient can be used for the development of bio-fortified maize cultivars/hybrids to reduce the malnutrition problem.

References

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How to cite this article

Pavan Devesh, Rajesh Singh, Kartikeya Srivastava, M. Shankar, Pargat Singh and Munnesh Kumar (2023). Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Yield and Kernel Iron and Zinc Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 708-711.