Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines

Knowledge of the extent of genetic variability, heritability, and genetic gain helps plant breeders determine appropriate selection criteria for the improvement of desirable traits in breeding programmes. Fifty-three maize inbred lines including three checks were evaluated by randomizing (RBD) with two replications at Wheat and Maize Research Station, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra, during kharif, 2024 to estimate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of grain yield, its component characters and seed quality parameters. High estimates of variability (GCV and PCV) and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were recorded for grain yield per plant, silk-tassel interval, number of seeds per cob and number of cobs per plant, indicating a strong additive gene action and minimal environmental influence, suggesting that simple selection could progressively improve these traits. Vigour index II, plant height, vigour index I, 100-seed weight, ear length, seed moisture percentage, number of rows per cob and ear girth were also found to be with high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Influence of both additive and non-additive gene actions coupled with effects of environment on the expression of characters were observed in respect of number of days required for 50% silking and number of days required for 50% tasseling. However, seed germination percentage was found to be the lowest for estimates of variability and non-additive gene effects.