Heterosis Analysis in Single cross Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids

The present investigation consisted of 53 entries including 36 hybrids along with 12 parents, 3 testers and 2 checks viz., PHM-3 and Pratap Raj Hybrid Maize 1095 were evaluated in three different environments during Kharif 2023. The estimates of standard heterosis for grain yield and its attributing traits along with quality traits showed that hybrid L4×T3 exhibited maximum estimates of significant positive standard heterosis for grain yield per plant E1 (9.80%), in E3 (9.31%) and on pooled basis (13.67%). This hybrid also possessed maximum significant estimates of economic heterosis for ear girth (7.92%) in E1 and protein content in E1 (7.88%) while negative economic heterosis for ear height (-17.20%) in E1 environment. For other agro-morphological traits, hybrid L9×T1 for 100-grain weight (6.50%), L1×T1 for ear height (-18.44%) and L8×T3 for number of grain rows per ear in E3 (8.21%) and L8×T1 (6.90%) for harvest index showed maximum economic heterosis across the environment. L4×T3 exhibited maximum estimates of significant positive standard heterosis suggesting that hybrid may be exploited before commercial release for confirmation of its superiority.