STUDYING SELECTIONCRITERIA AND GENETIC VARIABILITYFOR IMPROVEMENT OF INDIGENOUS MAIZE IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Maize (Zea maysL.) is short duration, high yielding crop, and it can be grown in both spring and kharif seasonsin Pakistan. In current study white and yellow maize germplasmswere compared for correlations and genetic variability based ondifferent agronomic traitsto define selection criteria for maize improvement. Significant differences were observed for yield and related components for entries, checks, all tested genotypes, yellow and white germplasm. Yellow maize genotypes showed higher yield potential comparedto white maize genotypes because of more grains per row and number of rows per cob. Based on correlation and path coefficient analysis, yield per plant was proved as appropriate selection criteria for white maize whereas, yield per plant and grains per row were suitable selection criteria for genetic improvement of yellow maize. Total carotenoid contents of yellow maize were independent of the yield so, both can be simultaneously targeted for genetic improvement without paying yield penalty. However, further dissection of genetic variability in yellow maize germplasm based on pro-vitamin A carotenoids is prerequisite. So, far as genotypes, 19189, 15159, 19201, 15018, 15216, 15170, 15155, 19196, 15318 and 19174 among white maize germplasm whereas, 14965, 14982, 19205, 15019, 14971, 15163, 15205, 24687, 15207and 15194 among yellow maize germplasm were the potential high yielding genotypes. Findings of the study in terms of selection criteria and potential maize genotypes could be useful in different breeding programs for genetic improvement of maize.