Genetic Diversity, Advance, Heritability and Heterosis Estimation in F1 Hybrids and Parental Lines of Maize.

Abstract

Background and Objective: Genetic variation, generally considered a key component in broadening gene pools in any given crop population, is critical to the success of yield improvement programs. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate hybrid efficiency compared to white and yellow parents and to estimate genetic variability and heterosis between hybrids and parental lines. Materials and Method: Two parental maize varieties and 2 hybrids were evaluated at the Teaching and Research farm, Bowen University, Iwo Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design with four blocks. Genetic parameters of established parental lines and hybrids were measured. The findings indicate that for the characters analyzed, substantial variations were found (p<0.05). Results: The highest number of rows per cob was recorded in hybrid1 (12.38), while the lowest number was recorded in white. Compared to their parental lines, the longest cobs were recorded in hybrid1 (16.63 cm) and hybrid2 (16.50 cm). In comparison with their parents, the widest cob was observed in hybrid1 (75 cm) and followed by hybrid2 (70.63 cm). The grain yield MPH (mid-parent) ranged from 14.73-44.54%, from 14.1-43.95% for BPH (better parent). Conclusion: The two hybrids developed from the crossing between yellow and white and between white and yellow showed higher performance than the parents. Hybrid 1 reported the highest rate of MPH and BPH. Hybrid1 and Hybrid2 recorded the highest plant height, yields and yield components over their parents.