Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance estimation of highland adapted maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes in Ethiopia

Abstract

The improvements of maize hybrid rely on significant genetic variability among the parental lines used and the degree to which it is transferred to progeny. A total of fifty genotypes are being studied in this present investigation. They were used to assess genetic parameters in two representative highland maize-growing areas. For most traits, the level of genetic variation was greater than the corresponding environmental variance. The highest genotypic and phenotypic variances were found in thousand kernel weight, earand plant height, suggesting the effectiveness of genotype selection based on phenotypic performance of these traits. For all traits, the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). The variations between the two components, on the other hand, were negligible. Grain yield, ear height, and ear aspect all had moderate GCV and PCV values. Plant feature, number of ears per plant and thousand kernels weight on the other hand, all had a mild phenotypic coefficient of variation. The other traits, on the other hand were classified as having low PCV values, implying that selection based on traits with low genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation of the genotypes tested would be less successful. Grain yield, ear height, and ear aspect all had high genetic advance as a percent of the mean, as well as high heritability, suggesting that additive gene action was more important in these traits. Selection for these traits will provide an opportunity to improve highland maize germplasm.