Assessment of Genetic Variability for Yield and Related Traits in Newly Developed Normal Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbreds

Abstract

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance are important parameters for identifying traits and inbred lines suitable for selection in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding. The present investigation assessed 30 normal maize inbred lines, including two standard checks, during kharif 2024 at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was conducted in a randomised complete block design with three replications, and 12 agro-morphological traits were evaluated. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the inbred lines for all traits, indicating substantial variability in the experimental material. Cob length exhibited high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, whereas moderate estimates were recorded for cob girth, number of kernel rows/ cob, number of kernels/ row, 100-kernel weight and grain yield/ plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was observed for cob length, cob girth, number of kernel rows/ cob, number of kernels/ row, 100-kernel weight and grain yield/ plant, indicating greater scope for improvement through selection. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits, suggesting some environmental influence on trait expression. Based on mean performance, KDM 323, IML 5, CML 442, CML 138 and BML 7 were superior to the best check for grain yield/ plant. These inbred lines may be useful as parental material in future maize breeding programmes.