Combining Ability Analysis and Genetic Inheritance of Salt Tolerance Indicators in Maize (Zea mays) Following Diallel Mating Design

Abstract

Saline soils are the source of severe abiotic stress, which hinders crop productivity. To compete the challenges of food security for rapidly growing population of the world, it is necessary to utilize marginal lands for cultivation by developing saline adapted varieties. Total six elite maize lines were used as parents following diallel mating design. Resultantly 30 F 1 s were generated. Data were recorded for different adaptability indicators under saline environments in maize. Differences among mean squares for general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effects for all the indicators were highly significant. Root length, shoot length, Na + and K + ion contents were governed by non-additive type of gene action whereas; leaf area was controlled by additive gene action. Under different saline environments, better adaptability level regarding GCA, SCA and their reciprocal effects were indicated in maize genotypes L7-2, OH-41 and WFTMS. The cross Q67 × L7-2 exhibited comparatively highest level of adaptability regarding SCA effects under saline environments. For reciprocal effects maize genotypes L7-2, Q67, OH-41 and WFTMS could be used in different crossing combinations for the development of maize hybrids adapted to different saline environments.

Breeding for provitamin A biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Genetic analysis of the traits also facilitates the manifestation of optimum breeding strategy. Diallel numerical or graphical approach, partial diallel crossing, triallel analysis, quadriallel analysis, line into tester analysis by Kempthorne's analysis or GGE biplots, biparental crossing, triple test cross analysis and generation mean analysis are commonly used for the estimation of gene action for different traits (Aslam, Sohail, et al., ; Aslam et al., ; Griffing, ; Hayman, , ; Jinks & Hayman, ; Kempthorne, ; Yan & Kang, ). General combining ability analysis (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) based on variances determine the mating potential of parents.…”

“…Development and exploitation of heterotic grouping is meaningful for the success of hybrid development. Different studies were also conducted to evaluate the potential of inbred lines for hybrid breeding based on their combining ability estimates and genetic control of traits (Aslam, Sohail, et al., ; Aslam et al., ). Egesel et al.…”

“…Relative contribution of variance components, i.e. additive and dominance components, is essentially important for genetic improvement of crop plants (Aslam, Sohail, Maqbool, Ahmad & Shahzad, 2017;Aslam, Sohail, Maqbool, Zaman & Ahmed, 2015). Genetic analysis of the traits also facilitates the manifestation of optimum breeding strategy.…”

“…for the success of hybrid development. Different studies were also conducted to evaluate the potential of inbred lines for hybrid breeding based on their combining ability estimates and genetic control of traits (Aslam, Sohail, et al, 2015;Aslam et al, 2017). Egesel et al (2003) conducted an experiment to evaluate 45 temperate maize hybrids and observed that carotenoid-related traits were highly overwhelmed by GCA effects than SCA effects, reflecting the main con-…”

Effect of Manganese Application on PS-II Activity in Rice under Saline Conditions

“…or also trace ions including B, Sr, Li, Rb, F, Mo, Ba and Al. Soil contains sufficient salts in root zone to impair growth of crop plant, as the level of salinity rises, plants extract water less easily (Tanji, 1990;Aslam et al, 2015).…”