Gene action and heterosis for yield and kernel quality traits in experimental hybrids in sweet corn relevant for Indian conditions

Abstract

Analysis of combining ability of twenty newly derived sweet corn lines was undertaken and pooled analysis of Line × Tester trial over two seasons was significant for all the traits studied. General and specific combining ability for all the traits including agronomical and quality traits were found significant, suggesting both additive and dominance variance operating for these traits. Among the parental lines, IPSA-2707 and IPSA-2713 were good general combiners for grain yield, TSS and Protein while IPSA-2710 and IPSA-2697 were good general combiners for grain yield, 100 kernel weight, total sugar and non reducing sugar. For improvement of both grain yield and quality traits, these elite inbreds could be utilized as potential sources in future breeding programs in sweet corn. Based on high per se performance, SCA effect and standard heterosis, promising cross combinations were identified, while IPSA-2715 × T1 was superior for grain yield, reducing sugar and oil content, IPSA-2696 × T2 for grain yield, total sugar and non reducing sugar. For quality traits, IPSA-2710 × T3 showed as a best cross for total sugar, TSS and non reducing sugar. For exploitation of hybrid vigour in commercial level, these crosses could be used for development of hybrids with high grain yield along with high sugar content in sweet corn.