000 02779nam a2200217 4500
003 OSt
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040 _cUAS Dharwad
041 _aEnglish
082 _a581.56
_bNEH
100 _aNehaa D. R.
245 _aAssessment of Genetic Variability, Combining Ability, and SSR Marker-Based Molecular Diversity in Maize (Zea Mays L.)
250 _aM.Sc. (Agri)
260 _aDharwad
_bUniversity of Agricultural Sciences
_c2024
300 _a227
_c32 Cms
520 _aABSTRACT Maize is considered as Queen of cereals, accounting to its global importance, genetic variability, combining ability, and molecular diversity were assessed in two sets of experiments during the kharif and rabi 2023. In the first experiment, inbred lines were evaluated using an augmented design to estimate genetic variability and trait correlations related to growth, grain yield, and yield-attributing characteristics. In the second experiment, 75 hybrids developed using line × tester design were evaluated alongside parental lines and checks using a simple lattice design to estimate general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and heterosis. The analysis of genetic variability revealed significant treatment effects across traits. Maturity traits registered high heritability with low genetic advance, while yield and related traits exhibited moderate to high genetic variation, indicating predominance of additive gene action in controlling these traits. Correlation analysis highlighted a positive association between yield-contributing traits and grain yield, supporting the potential for indirect selection to enhance yield. Combining ability analysis revealed significant gca effects, particularly in inbred lines, IMLSB 883 and KDMI 15 for maturity traits and in BGUDI 135 and MAI 283 for yield-related traits. Among the hybrids, MAI-769 × CML 286, MAI-313 × CML 286, and MAI-283 × CML 451 recorded significant sca effects and high grain yield. Parental molecular diversity analysis using 25 SSR markers, 20 markers generated polymorphism and 60 alleles, with an average PIC value of 0.45. UPGMA clustering grouped inbreds into eight major clusters, highlighting the sufficient genetic diversity. Overall, the findings highlighted the presence of significant genetic variability, strong combining ability, and considerable molecular diversity in the inbred lines and hybrids studied. These results provide a valuable genetic foundation for future maize breeding programmes aimed at enhancing grain yield and other desirable traits.
650 _aGenetics and Plant Breeding
700 _aArunkumar B.
942 _cTH
_eM.Sc. (Agri)
_h581.56
_kNEH
_n0
_6581_560000000000000
999 _c70851
_d70851