A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HERITABILITY AND COMBINING ABILITY IN MAIZE VARIETIES OF SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR BREEDING PROGRAMS

Abstract

This study aims to determine heritability and combining ability estimates among seven maize (Zea mays. L) Varieties from southeastern Nigeria, comprising two local and five improved genotypes. Eight agronomic traits were evaluated using a diallel cross, and the data were analyzed using Griffing's method II and model I for fixed effects. The experiment was conducted in the late planting season of 2015 at the Center for Agricultural Research, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria, employing a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Findings revealed significant differences between the entries for the studied traits, with varying degrees of heritability and combining ability. These results contribute valuable information for maize breeders in southeastern Nigeria and can inform future breeding efforts to improve maize varieties in the region