International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN: 5756-2148 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 249-255, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Standard heterosis of pipeline maize (zea mays l.) hybrids for grainyield and yield related traits at pawe, Northwestern Ethiopia

Ziggiju Mesenbet Birhanie*, Habtamu Zeleke Utta and Legesse Wolde Beyene

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research Ethiopia, Haramaya University Ethiopia.

E-mail:   [email protected]

Received 25 July, 2016; Revised 29 August, 2016; Accepted 03 October, 2016 and Published 11 January, 2017

Abstract

The knowledge of gene action and heterosis also helps in identification of superior F₁ hybrids in order to use further in future breeding programs. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of standard heterosis of the pipeline maize hybrids for grain yield and yield related traits. A total of eleven pipeline maize hybrids and two standard checks (BH546 and BH547) were evaluated using randomized complete block design with three replications during the 2015 main cropping season at Northwestern Ethiopia. Mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) for most grain yield and yield related traits indicating the existence of genetic variation among the evaluated genotypes. The standard heterosis ranged from -38.72 to 33.65%and the highest heterosis was recorded for CML395/CML202//CML464 cross. The observed highest heterosis for grain yield and related traits indicated the possibility of increasing yield by exploiting heterotic potential of maize genotypes.The information generated by this study could be useful for researchers who need to develop high yielding maize hybrids.

Keywords: Grain, heterosis, hybrid, Maize.