GENOTYPIC VARIABILITY AMONG MAIZE (Zea mays L.) GENOTYPES AND THEIR CROSSES UNDER MOISTURE STRESS IN PARTS OF BAUCHI AND PLATEAU STATES OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the performance of hybrids from early inbred lines under moisture/drought stress and comparing yield performance of the top cross with their parental open-pollinated varieties for grain yield and yield related traits using ten (five males and five females which are known to be drought tolerant) parents. Nursery trial for the formation of initial breeding population (F₁) through a Line x Tester mating design was conducted in 2019 dry season at Lushi Irrigation Station, Bauchi. The ten parents and their resultant 25 F₁ (hybrids) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at Bauchi and Jos towards the end of 2019 rainy season. Significant differences were observed among the studied genotypes, indicating that these traits were affected by location. Significant differences were also observed in the combining ability analysis in all the traits under study. The result also revealed that both additive and non- additive gene action were important in controlling drought tolerant, grain yield and other agronomic traits in maize. The parents TZEI-17, SAMMAZ-37, SAMMAZ-38, SAMMAZ-39, SAMMAZ-40 and TZEI-129 have been identified as good general combiners for earliness, drought tolerance and yield per hectare. Therefore, they can be employed in breeding programs targeted at improving certain traits. TZEI-11 × SAMMAZ-39, TZEI-129 × SAMMAZ-40, × TZEI-129× SAMMAZ-38, TZEI-16 × SAMMAZ-37, TZEI-16 × SAMMAZ-52, TZEI-11 × SAMMAZ-52, TZEI-23 × SAMMAZ-40 and TZEI-17 × SAMMAZ-38 was also identified as good specific combiners for earliness, drought tolerance, kernel yield and better parent heterosis in Bauchi and Jos combined locations.