Generation Mean Analysis using Six Parameters Genetic Model for Quantitative Traits in Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.)

Background: Discovery of maize mutants in the mid-1960s containing the opaque-2 gene which enhances levels of lysine and tryptophan in the endosperm protein opened a new era in breeding for improvement of quality in maize. Methods: The present study aimed to perform a generation mean analysis of two quality protein maize (QPM) (Zea mays L.) crosses CML332 x CML145 and CML167 x CML330 during zaid, 2023 P.G research farm, MSSSoA, Paralakhemudi. To, determine the genetic effects along with nature of gene action. Result: Dominance variance showed more importance than additive variance and the presence of duplicate form of non-allelic gene interaction was prevalent for all the characters studied except days to 50% tasseling in CML332 x CML145 and catalase in CML167 x CML330 which showed complementary gene action. Characters with duplicate gene interactions, grain yield per plant in CML167 x CML330 and number of kernels row-1 in CML332 x CML145 showed strong dominance and dominance x dominance gene interaction. Selection could be rewarding for consecutive populations followed after bi-parental mating design to improve these traits.