Selection of high density responsive inbred lines for enhancing maize productivity.

Abstract

The concept of high density planting in maize envisages higher productivity by increased plant population per unit area. It is expected that the high density responsive inbred lines, when crossed would give high density responsive hybrids. In this context, 25 elite inbred lines were evaluated under normal to high density ranging from 66,666 plants/ha to 1,11,1111 plants/ha, during kharif season-2016 at ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, following split plot method. Genotypes under study interacted with plant density and majority of the genotypes showed yield penalty when we increased plant density from 66,666 plants/ha. Association studies indicated that the ear placement and cob length are the two major factors which decide the yield under different plant density. Inbred lines, viz, PML 93, PML 35, PML 50, PML 46, KRN 2-5-2 and UMI 1200 were responded well to high density stress with better yield under high plant density. Use of these inbreds in development of base population as well as developing hybrids suited for high density planting has been suggested.