Genetic variability analysis in diverse maize genotypes (Zea mays L.)

The present study was carried out to assess the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance for yield and kernel quality traits in twenty diverse maize genotypes. The crop was raised at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) during kharif 2012. The trials were set up in randomized block design with three replications. Highly significant differences were observed for all the traits studied. Genetic variability parameters showed that phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and heritability is high for most of the traits. High genetic advance as percent of mean (genetic gain) along with high estimate of heritability and GCV are also observed for most of the traits. Test weight, grain yield per plant, grains per cob, cob length, grains per row and harvest index are important in selection programms aiming to maize yield improvement and the breeder may consider these traits as the main selection criteria.