Abstract

                                Diallel, triallel and quadriallel analyses were studied for grain yield in six maize inbreds. The mean phenotypic expression and range of variation for grain yields wassuperior in single cross hybrids than thethree way cross hybrids, parents and double cross hybrids, in the sequence mentioned. The general combining ability effect of the inbreds was pronounced in diallel only. The parent order was very clearly elcuidated in triallel and quadriallel. Though both additive and non additive gene action was observed in diallel, further partitioning the genetic components of variances in triallel and quadriallel analyses indicated predominance of non- allelic interactions involving dominance, suggesting that grain yield could be improved by heterosis breeding. Related inbreds could also be developed by selfing the superior crosses. The single cross hybrid 88/261 out yielded the three way or double corss hybrids. More number of economic hybrids for grain yield was observ ed in the three way crosses..

Key words : Maize, yield, Diallel, Triallel, Quadriallel Analysis