Genetic Variability and Divergence of Drought Tolerant Open Pollinated Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes Grown Under Random Stress in Jigjiga, Ethiopia

Abstract

Low-moisture availability is one of the major causes for grain yield reduction in dry land areas. Twenty-four open pollinated maize genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design at the main research station of Jigjiga Pastoral and Agricultural Research Centre to assess performance, variability and heritabilities of important traits. The recorded range and mean performances as well as significant genotypic and phenotypic variances for most of the tested traits indicated the existence of considerable amount of variability among the genotypes. Grain yield had higher genetic and phenotypic coefficient of variation coupled with the highest genetic advance as percent of mean (56.5%). Genotypes (VP05147, ZM523 and VP0713) gave the highest grain yield with promising expression in other desirable traits. Estimates of the broad-sense heritability were higher for grain yield (72.58) and other yield component traits. However, days to tasseling, anthesis, silking, maturity, anthesis-silking interval, leaf area index, plant and ear height demonstrated below 40%. In general, the observed differences in performances, variability and heritabilities in the tested traits of the populations confirmed possibility to increase maize productivity in target area through direct use and/or the best one improvement or utilizing their diversity as germplasm source for development of superior inbred-lines.

Keywords: Genetic advances, Genetic divergence, Heritability, Open pollinated maize, Variability.