Combining Ability Analysis for Yield and its Component Traits in High Altitude Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbreds

Hybrids were synthesised in a 12 x 12 diallel fashion excluding reciprocals and analysis of combining ability was undertaken for yield and its component traits in maize. Non-additive genetic variance played a preponderant role in the inheritance of grain depth, kernal row number per ear, kernals per row, shelling percentage,100 grain weight and grain yield per plant. Based on general combining ability, parent PMI 117 and PMI 224 were found to be a good combiner for improving yield and yield contributing traits. Eight cross combinations viz., PMI67 x PMI 69, PMI 67 x PMI 401, PMI 69 x PMI 298, PMI 03 x PMI 64, PMI 64 x PMI 117, PMI 68 x PMI 224, PMI 118 x PMI 298 and PMI 224 x PMI 298 had highly significant sca effect for most of the yield contributing traits.