HETEROSIS AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION FOR GRAIN YIELD AND ITS COMPONENT TRAITS IN SINGLE CROSS MAIZE HYBRIDS UNDER MID HILLS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA

Nine single cross  maize hybrids alongwith two commercial hybrid checks were assessed for  standard heterosis, heritability and character association among various traits. Three white grain hybrids viz., JPMH-2, JPMH-7 and JPMH-9 manifested 38.74, 37.63 and 31.86 per cent significant grain yield superiority over white hybrid check Kanchan-612. The grain yield per plant had positive and significant correlation with days to 50% pollen shed, days to 50 per cent silking and cobs per plant at genotypic level.  All the traits exerted positive direct effects on grain yield per plant except days to 50 per cent pollen shed, ear height and stem girth. The plant height and ear height had comparatively higher genotypic and phenotypic variability whereas days to 50 per cent pollen shed, days to 50 per cent silking and ear height comparatively expressed higher broad sense heritability. Grain yield per plant showed comparatively higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variability and good broad sense heritability followed by cobs/plant for indirect improvement of grain yield. The hybrids JPMH-2, JPMH-7 and JPMH-9 were found promising maize  hybrids which need further testing for ascertaining their sustainable yields over locations.