Abstract
Background: Zea mays L. is one of the most imperative cereal crop in world after wheat and
rice. It is a used as food for human and feed for livestock. To meet the ever increasing demand,
maize production can be increased by application of improved agronomic techniques to get
varieties with higher qualitative and quantitative traits and resilience to abiotic stresses.
Methods: The genetic material was comprised of 8 parents and 12 F1 hybrids. The genotypes
were sown in the iron treys filled with sand in three replications following completely
randomized design. The data was recorded for fresh root length (FRL), fresh shoot length
(FSL), fresh root-to-shoot length ratio (FRSLR), fresh root weight (FRW), fresh shoot weight
(FSW), total fresh weight (TFW), fresh root-to-shoot weight ratio (FRSWR), dry root weight
(DRW), dry shoot weight (DSW) and total dry weight (TDW), dry root-to-shoot weight ratio
(DRSWR), chlorophyll contents (Ch.C), leaf temperature (LT), transpiration rate (E),
photosynthetic rate (A), stomata conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUS) and sub-stomata
CO2 concentration (Ci). GCA (general combining ability) and SCA (specific combining
ability) were calculated by using Kepmthorn, (1957) technique.
Results: Higher GCA of B-336 variety was recorded for FRL, FRW, FSW, TFW, A and Ci.
Higher SCA of EV-1097Q × Pop/209, Sh-139 × Pop/209, EV-1097Q × B-316 and Sh-139 ×
B-316 varieties was recorded for FRL, FSL, FRW, FSW, TFW, A, Ci, WUE, LT, E and gs.
Conclusion: Higher heritability, genetic advance, GCA and SCA had decisive role in selection
of drought tolerant maize varieties. F1 hybrids EV-1097Q × Pop/209, Sh-139 × Pop/209, EV1097Q × B-316 and Sh-139 × B-316 showed higher SCA for all traits that persuaded that these
hybrids may be used for higher grain and fodder yield under drought conditions.
Qurban Ali, Arfan Ali, Muhammad Ahsan, Sajed Ali, Nazar Hussain Khan, Sher Muhammad, Hafiz Ghazanfar Abbas, Idrees Ahmad Nasir, Tayyab Husnain. (2013) Line × Tester analysis for morpho-physiological traits of Zea mays L. seedlings , Advancements in Life Sciences, Volume 1 , Issue 4.
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