Genetic analysis in maize (Zea mays L.) under moisture stress conditions

The present study was undertaken to assess combining ability, heterosis and association among morphophysiological traits of maize under stress and optimum conditions. Elite maize inbred lines with known performance under drought were crossed in half diallel fashion. The resulting hybrids and their parents were evaluated under managed drought and optimum conditions. CI 4, Hyd Sel 4 and KDMI 15 recorded high mean grain yield and significant positive gca effects under stress where as CML 446 and NEI 9208B recorded high mean grain yield with significant positive gca effects under optimum conditions. CI 4 and NEI 9202B were identified as good combiners for grain yield. Among the 66 hybrids, 15 under optimum conditions and 21 under stress recorded significant positive heterosis over mid parent. Three hybrids viz., KDMI 15 x NEI 9202B, Hyd Sel 4 x NEI 9202B and NEI 9208B x Hyd Sel 15 were identified as high grain yielding under stress and optimum conditions. The hybrids viz., Hyd Sel 15 x Hyd Sel 17(4.18 t ha(-1)), KDMI 15 x NEI 9202B (4.01 t ha(-1)), NEI 9208B x Hyd Sel 15(3.96 t ha(-1)), CM 111 x CI 4 (3.96.5 t ha(-1)) and KDMI 15 x Hyd Sel 15 (3.88 t ha(-1)) recorded good grain yield under stress.