STUDIES ON TRANSGRESSIVE SEGREGATION IN F2 GENERATION IN MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

Abstract

The present study was conducted at research farm of Seed Technology Research Unit, Rahuri. The experimental material for present study comprised of eight parental lines collected from Maize Improvement Project, Kolhapur. Diverse maize parentental lines were effected in full diallel fashion. Eight parents with fifty six F1s (direct and reciprocal) and two standard checks were evaluated and data of results recorded on yield and yield contributing characters. The best performing single cross were selected on the basis of yield and yield contributing characters and conducted transgressive segregation field trial. Transgressive segregants were reported for five characters viz., kernel yield, protein, starch, tryptophan and lysine content in F2 generation. The highest transgression was recorded for kernel yield (9.20 %), followed by starch (1.80 %), protein (1.60 %), tryptophan (1.20 %) and lysine content (1.00 %). The simultaneous transgression of kernel yield occurs with starch and tryptophan content. It was concluded that either kernel yield is dependent on these characters or there is a linkage drag so that genes responsible for these traits move together. The plant number 428 of GPM-456 x HYD-09R-1204-1 in F2 generation reported to be the most promising transgressive segregant. It produced 7.07 percent more kernel yield than better increasing parent and transgressed for two quality characters i.e. starch and tryptophan content.