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Plant Genomics 2019
June 13-14, 2019
Berlin, Germany
Asian Journal of Plant Science & Research
ISSN: 2249-7412
Page 40
Plant Genomics
5
th
Edition of International Conference on
AJPSKY 2019, Volume 09
Genetic analysis of Seed Quality Traits and Concentrations
of Zinc and Iron in Maize Topcross Hybrids
Richard Akinwale
Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
A
dequate knowledge about the genetic control of iron
(Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations as well as seed
quality in maize (
Zea mays L.
) is important in improving
the crop for both traits thereby combating malnutrition
and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Twenty-
six maize genotypes comprising 16 topcross hybrids
were evaluated for seed quality traits and Fe and Zn
concentrations inmaize kernels to study their inheritance
pattern.. The experiment was laid out using randomized
completeblockdesignwiththreereplicates.Datacollected
were subjected to analysis of variance. Genotypic effect
was significant for all traits except Germination Index (GI)
and shoot length. When genotypic effect was partitioned
into its genetic effects, both General Combining Ability
(GCA) for line and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) mean
squares were significant for all traits except shoot length,
shoot fresh and dry weights. Similarly, GCA for tester was
significant for all traits except GI, number of roots, and SL.
General combining ability was relatively more important
for germination rate index, primary root length, root fresh
and dry weights, as well as shoot fresh and dry weights
indicating that additive gene action is in control. In
contrast, SCAwas relativelymore important for Fe and Zn
concentrations, indicating that non-additive gene action
is in control. Inbreds TZEEI82 and TZEEI64 had superior
GCA effects for conductivity, In terms of germination
percentage, TZEEI81 and TZEEI 82 had the best GCA.
For Fe concentration, varieties DTE-STRYSYNPOPC3,
2009TZEEI-OR1STR, and 2009TZEE-OR1STRQPM and
inbreds TZEEI81 had superior GCA effect while inbreds
TZEEI58 and TZEEI64 had outstanding GCA effects for
Zn.