EVALUATION OF MAIZE S2 LINES IN TEST CROSS COMBINATIONS II: YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to test the performance of maize S2 lines derived from maize variety Azam, using line x tester analysis. Test crosses developed from 24 S2 lines, and crossed to three different testers were used in the study. Maximum ear length (16 cm) was observed for TC-19, using WD 2x8 as a tester, while SCA for ear length was recorded to be 0.8. Maximum ear diameter (5 cm) was observed for TC-8, using OPV lalal as tester, while SCA for ear diameter was recorded to be 0.1. Maximum kernel rows ear- ' (15) were observed for TC-30, using WD 2x8 as tester, while SCA was recorded to be -0.5. Maximum 100 kernel weight (34 g) was observed for TC-36, using WD 2x8 as a tester, while SCA for grain yield was 901 and 4.2 for kernel weight. Highest grain yield (6765 kg ha1 ) was recorded for testcross TC-26, using WD 3x6 as a tester. Moreover, lines TC-ll, TC-8, TC-20, TC- 26, TC-9, (using WD 2x8 as a tester), TC-10, TC-7 (using WD 3x6 as a tester), TC-10, T.C-6 (using Jalal as a tester) were found good combiners. Test crosses TC-ll, using WD 2x8 as a tester, TC-26 and TC-7, using WD 3x6 as a tester had the highest SCA, GCA, and mean for important traits like grain yield, hundred kernel weight, ear diameter and ear length. These testcrosses are ecommended to be included in future breeding programs for developing maize hybrids with higher yield potential accompanied with other desirable parameters of interest.