M. Amiruzzaman
Principal Scientific officer
Plant breeding Devision
BARI,Gazipur
M.N. Amin
Scientific officer
Plant breeding Devision
BARI,Gazipur
Genetic diversity of 24 white QPM inbred lines was estimated by using Mahalanobis D2 statistic for eleven characters. The genotypes were grouped into four clusters. The inter-cluster distances were larger than intra-cluster distances, suggesting wider genetic diversity among the genotypes of different groups. The cluster I and III contained the highest number of genotypes. The highest mean values for kernel yield/plant, 1000-kernel weight, number of kernels per row and ear were observed in cluster III. The mean of ear length was the highest in cluster II. The lowest mean values for days to pollen shedding and days to silking were found in cluster IV. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster I and III and lowest between cluster II and IV. The highest intra-cluster distance was noticed in cluster I and the lowest was in cluster IV. Ear length, number of kernels/row, Kernel yield, and days to tasseling was found to contribute maximum towards total divergence. Based on medium and high inter-cluster distances, per se performances and desirable characters, eleven inbred lines viz. CML 144, CML 159, CML 206, CML 247, CML 251, CML 264, CML 444, CML 488, CML 500, CML 503 and CML 511 were selected for future hybridization program. Crossing between these genotypes have the chance to obtain higher heterosis with high performing crosses.
Genetic diversity, inbreed, maize,
Variety and Species
To analyze the genetic divergence of QPM maize inbreds for producing nutritionally rich QPM white hybrid variety.
Twenty four white quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines were grown in a alpha lattice design with three replications at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during rabi 2009-10. Seeds were sown on 23 November 2009. The seeds of each inbred lines were sown in a single row of 5 m long plot. Spacing adopted was 75 x 20 cm between rows and hills, respectively. One healthy seedling per hill was kept after proper thinning. Fertilizers were applied @ 120,80,80,20, 5 and 1 kg/ha of N, P2Os, K2O, S, Zn and B respectively. Standard agronomic practices were followed (Quayyum, 1993) and plant protection measures were taken when required. Data on days to 50% pollen shedding and silking were recorded on whole plot basis. Ten randomly selected plants were used for recording observations on kernel yield/plant (g), plant height (cm), ear height (cm), number of kernel rows/ear, number of kernels/row, ear length (cm), ear diameter (cm), 1000-kernel weight (g), husk cover (1-5 scale) and disease reaction(1-5 scale). Genetic diversity was estimated using Mahalanabis generalized distance (D2) extended by Rao (1952). Tocher’s method was followed to determine the group constellation. Canonical variate analysis was also performed as per Rao (1964) to confirm the results of cluster D2 analysis. The data were analyzed using GENSTAT 5.0 software program.
Research report 2009-10
The crosses between the above mentioned selected inbreds of cluster II with III; I with those of II, III and IV would be expected to exhibit high heterosis with recombinants of desired characters in maize.
It can be concluded that kernel yield, number of kernels/row, ear length, and days to tasseling contributed maximum towards divergence. Hence major emphasis should be given on them for selecting parents for hybridization in maize.
Report/Proceedings