Heterosis and Correlation Studies for Quality Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) Nagarajan D.*, Nallathambi G. Department of Millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore *email: nagarajanpbg@gmail.com
Online published on 2 January, 2017. Abstract Twenty three inbred lines and three inbred testers were used for this study. Using 26 inbred parents, 69 hybrid combinations were obtained by crossing in Line x Tester design. All the parents and cross combinations were evaluated with standard check CoH(M)5. Biochemical analysis such as carotenoid, crude protein, starch and phytate content were estimated along with grain yield per plant in twenty best performing hybrids and their parents. Among twenty best hybrids eleven hybrids in carotenoid content, nine hybrids in protein content, ten hybrids in starch content were recorded higher mean value and ten hybrids were registered low phytate content as compared to the overall hybrids mean. Heterosis studies showed that fifteenhybrids in carotenoid, five hybrids in crude protein, nine hybrids in starch content registered significant positive standard heterosis and ten hybrids in phytate content recorded significant negative standard heterosis. Based on correlation studies grain yield showed significant positive association with carotenoid content and starch content, non significant negative association with protein content and non significant positive association with phytate content. Based on per se and heterosis studies the hybrids N09-150x N148-1, N09-157x N171-2, N09-150x N148-1 and N10-109x N148-1 recordedhigh carotenoid content (35.64 μg/g), high protein content (10.38%), high starch content (73.03%) and low phytate content (1.35 mg/g) respectively. Top Keywords Heterosis, Correlation, Quality, Line x Tester design, Zea mays L. Top |