Strategic selection of white maize inbred lines for tropical adaptation and their utilization in developing stable, medium to long duration maize hybrids

Abstract

White maize plays an important role in human diet, especially in traditional crop growing regions of northern hill region, north-eastern states and central-western parts of India. Breeding efforts to enhance the genetic potential of white maize was not so prominent as compared to yellow maize in the country. As a result, genetic base of the material utilized in white maize breeding program in India is very narrow and majorly contains indigenous germplasm and few introductions. Hence, efforts were made to use 365 white maize inbred lines from CIMMYT, Mexico, for breeding program. These new inbred lines were grown at winter nursery center, Indian Institute of Maize Research, New Delhi for its tropical adaptation. After preliminary evaluation, a total 47 inbred lines were selected and evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications at Regional Maize Research and Seed Production Centre, Begusarai, Bihar, during rabi 2014. Out of this top performing 12 inbred lines viz, CML 47, CML 95, CML 314, CML 319, CML 377, CML 488, CML 494, CML 504, CML 517, CML 522, CML 531 and CML 538 were selected and were crossed in diallel manner to obtain 66 medium to long duration experimental hybrids. Stability analysis using AMMI model was done to identify adaptive hybrids with high yielding potentiality. According to the ASVi value obtained, the hybrid G38 appeared to be stable followed by G50 and G44. On the other hand, the hybrid G25 appeared as location specifi hybrid suitable for high input conditions.