Influence of Mating Systems on Trait Associations in Segregating Populations of Maize (Zea mays L.) Double Cross

In the present challenging scenario of climate change, it is essential to breed maize cultivars that withstand stress especially abiotic stresses in a broader sense. Diversification of existing germplasm is invariable to harness the actual potential of maize hybrids which are bred for specific agroecosystems. Double crosses interact less with environment compared to single crosses and their broad parentage enables better performance under varied situations of cultivation. In the present study, impact of mating systems ie., self pollination, sib mating and open pollination was studied in a high yielding double cross of maize so as to identify robust and diverse recombinants. The double cross, (BML-32 x BML-6) x (BML-10 x BML-7) was imposed with the three types of mating systems for three consecutive seasons and the resultant S3 (F4) populations were evaluated for trait interrelationssips. It was observed that sib mating established stronger and highest number of positive correlations with seven and twelve additional positive correlations than self and open pollinations respectively among the yield and its attributing traits in its progenies. Therefore deploying sib mating cycles during line development may result in more effective selection processes. Results of path analysis, however, did not significantly vary with the mating type though sib mating showed lowest residual effect.