Effects of Mating Systems on Segregating Populations of Three Way Cross of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize is one among those crops privileged with rich genetic diversity; however the currently cultivated hybrids barely represent this scale of variability as they are developed from more or less genetically similar lines. Tad changes in environmental factors can fail today’s hybrids which otherwise perform exceedingly well. This stresses the need for development of diverse genotypes which can adapt to the changing climatic conditions. A study was conducted to estimate and compare the efficiency of three mating systems viz., self pollination, sib mating and open pollination in development of superior inbred lines with wider adaptability and sturdy genetic makeup in maize. Fourth filial segregating populations of three way cross obtained from three mating systems were used for studying genetic variability and character associations. Results indicated that sib mated progeny exhibited highest genotypic coefficient of variability, heritability and genetic advance for most of the yield traits while desirable mean values, highest number of recombinants and highest phenotypic coefficients of variability were observed in open pollinated population. Sib mated progenies exhibited highest number of significant positive correlations specifically among yield related characters while open pollination resulted in weak associations. From this study, it can be concluded that sib mating or a blend of sib mating and selfing can be adopted for development of diverse and superior inbred lines in maize.