Academia Journal of Agricultural Research 3(1): 009-014, January 2015

DOI: 10.15413/ajar.2015.01064
ISSN: 2315-7739
2015 Academia Publishing

Research Paper
Estimates of heritability and genetic advance for morphological traits
improvement in maize (Zea mays)
Accepted 14th January, 2015
ABSTRACT

Hidayat Ur Rahman*, Habibullha, Liaqat

Shah, Asif Ali
Department of Plant Breeding and
Genetics, the University of Agriculture
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
h_rahman_pbg@yahoo.com

A study of heritability and genetic advance was undertaken at the University of

Agriculture, Peshawar and Cereal Crops Research Institute, (CCRI) Pirsabak,
Nowshera, during 2013 in two crop seasons. In spring crop season (season 1), the
testcrosses were developed from maize variety Azam at CCRI. In summer crop
season (season 2), the resulting testcrosses were evaluated in a 1212 partially
balanced lattice square design with two replications at The University of
Agriculture, Peshawar for different agronomical traits. Data were recorded on
days to tasseling, silking, anthesis, anthesis silking interval (ASI), plant height
(cm), ear height. Highly significant differences were observed among all the traits
in both seasons, while non significant differences were observed for days to
tasseling and ASI in season 1. Low to moderate estimation of heritability and
genetic advance was observed in both seasons. Moderate level of heritability 0.45
was observed for days to tasseling and ear height in season 2, while low
estimation of 0.09 was recorded for days to tasseling in seasons 1. High genetic
advance (GA) 6.11 was observed for plant height in season 1, while low (GA) was
recorded 0.15 for ASI in season 1. Estimation of heritability and genetic advance
for all the parameters were low to moderate which displayed comparatively high
environmental influence on the traits expression, hence further evaluation should
be carried out in different environments. The TC-97, TC-183, TC-107 in season 1
and TC-187, in season 2, were having desirable ASI and can be utilized as
progenitors in succeeding generations of maize breeding programs.
Key words: Heritability, genetic advance, morphological traits, maize.

INTRODUCTION
Maize is a diploid plant species having 20 chromosomes. It
is a monoecious plant with 95% cross pollination and 5%
self pollination. Maize disseminated to the other regions of
the world, due to its cultivation in different environments.
Sugar-abundant genotypes known as sweet-corn are
generally cultivated for human utilization, whereas fieldcorn genotypes are utilized commonly for grazing of
livestock. Ear emerge over the few leaves in the middle of
the plant, between the stem and leaf sheath. Silks develop
from the spiral of husk leaf at the bottom of the cobs. Maize
can survive under more than one set of environmental
conditions. In the temperate regions, maize is cultivated in
the spring season. Its root structure is normally having little

depth, so maize depends on soil moisture. Maize as C4 plant

is more water capable crop than C3 plants. In fixation
processes plants absorb carbon from CO2 in the atmosphere
to form metabolically active compound. Maize is mostly
responsive to drought in silking, when the flowers are
prepared for fertilization. In Pakistan during year 2012-13,
maize was cultivated on 1139.4 thousand hectares with
annual production of 4997.1 thousand tones and average
yield was 4385.7 kg ha-1. In KPK maize was grown on about
497.3 thousand hectares with total annual production of
1300 thousand tons with average yield of 2614.11 kg ha -1
(FBS, 2012-13). These statistics of yield out-put are very
low due to the cultivation of land races, lack of proper

Academia Journal of Agricultural Research; Rahman et al.

maize hybrids and superior varieties. The USA is the world

highest producing and exporting country of maize. China,
Brazil, Argentine, Mexico, India, Ukraine, Indonesia, France
and S. Africa are the rest top maize producing countries.
Self pollination is a significant footstep for inbred lines
improvement whereas cross pollination is essential for
hybrid yield production. Maize genotypes having desirable
traits with high yield performance can definitely be
developed, if the constant performing and highest yielding
lines are recognized. Recognition of such beneficial lines in
mixed populations is the main objective of plant breeders
(khan et al., 2004). The heritability and genetic advance
(GA) is the essential framework for the selection, their
collective estimation is beneficial for the prediction of gain
during the selection. The objectives of this research study
were to evaluate test crosses of S5 lines obtained from
maize variety Azam for yield and yield associated traits and
to get BS heritability and genetic advance estimation for
different traits of interest.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental site
This experiment was conducted at the University of
Agriculture, Peshawar and Cereal Crops Research Institute,
Pirsabak, Nowshera, during 2013, in two (spring and
summer) crop seasons.

Breeding materials
Azam is white flint genotype having moderate average
stature, and matures in 90 to 110 days. It was developed
through cross among the Zia and Pir-sabak 7930, and with
back cross to Pir-sabak. It is acclimatized and adapted
maize composite & could be grown in all regions of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In this experiment commercial hybrid
30-K08 was used as a check for the comparison.

Field experimentation and procedure

During the (season 1) spring crop period (March- June),
143 S5 lines, developed from maize variety Azam were testcrossed by crossing with the selected tester in isolation at
CCRI, Pirsabak, Nowshera during the year 2013. By regular
round during flowering, those lines which had visible
tassels were detasseled. The detasseled lines were let to
open pollination by the tester. At physiological maturity
(black layer establishment at hilum) the testcrosses were
manually harvested and shelled individually. The best were
selected and others were disposed. During the summer
(July-October), the testcrosses along with a check were
planted in a replicated yield trial in a partially balanced

010

lattice square design along with 2 replications at UAP. Row

length was kept 5 m, plant-to-plant gap was 25 cm and rowto-row space was kept to be 75 cm. Each genotype
comprised single row plot. To confirm consistent
emergence of seeds, 2 grains hill-1 were sown and after the
emergence, 1 seedling hill-1 was retained at knee height
stage. Standard cultural techniques were applied and
weekly irrigation was carried out. Fertilizer DAP was used
at sowing time while urea was utilized at sowing time and
at knee height stage. Data were taken on days to midtasseling, days to mid-silking, days to mid-anthesis,
anthesis silking interval (ASI), plant height (cm) and ear
height (cm).

Statistical analysis
The data recorded was subjected to analysis of variance
(ANOVA) technique appropriate for partially balanced
lattice square design using program MS Excel package.
Estimates of heritability and variance components
(genotypic and phenotypic components) were calculated
from the ANOVA by using the following formula (Fehr,
1987):
Genotypic variance (VG) = (GMS EMS) r
Environmental variance (VE) = EMS
Phenotypic variance (VP) = VG + VE
Plot mean basis (h2BS) = VG VG + VE
Genetic Advance (GA) = iVP h2
Where, i at 20 % = 1.40

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Days to mid-tasseling
Maturity is important feature in crop plants. Days to
tasseling, anthesis, and silking specifies the period of
maturity in crop plants. Early and advance tasseling results
in earlier pollen shedding and silking that ultimately affect
the maturity period of maize varieties. Statistical analysis
showed highly significant (P<0.01) variations among the
test-crosses of S5 lines, in season 2 (summer) and non
significant (P>0.05) differences in season 1 (spring). It was
noted that test-crosses were different in performance
during season 2. In season 1, no differences were found
among the test-crosses and they performed similarly. Ali et
al. (2012) observed significant genetic variation for
tasseling while evaluating maturity and morphological
characters and studying testcross offspring capabilities of
maize S1 lines. If the genetic advance (GA) is high it means
that the trait is controlled by additive genes action and
selection will be beneficial for such parameter and if the
estimation of GA is low it shows that the traits are

Academia Journal of Agricultural Research; Rahman et al.

controlled by non-additive genes. In such case heterosis

breeding will be useful for such traits. In season 1, the
genotypic variance (Vg) was 0.46, environmental variance
(Ve)was 4.92, genetic advance (GA) was 0.29 and broad
sense heritability (h2BS) was observed to be 0.09 (Table 3),
while in season 2, the genotypic variance (Vg) was 2.35,
environmental variance (Ve) was 2.88, genetic advance
(GA) was 1.44 and broad sense heritability h2BS was
observed to be 0.45 (Table 4).The heritability estimation
was low to moderate which showed a high level of
environmental impact in the breeding material under
study.

Days to mid-silking
In multiple cropping patterns, the early grown varieties are
important for short growing periods. Highly significant
(P<0.01) variations were observed in both seasons. Our
results are in conformity with those of Rahman et al. (2008)
who found highly significant variation in the assessment of
testcrosses of S1 lines for morphological and maturity
characters of maize. Maximum days to mid- silking
(81days) were observed for TC-146, minimum (71days)
were noticed for TC-183 and 80.5 days were observed for
the check in season 1(Table 5). In season 2, maximum (69
days) were recorded for TC-146, minimum (61days) for TC250 and 69 days were observed for the check (Table 6). In
season 1, the genotypic variance (Vg), environmental
variance (Ve), genetic advance (GA) and broad sense
heritability (h2BS), were recorded to be 1.34, 3.77, 0.83 and
0.26, respectively (Table 3), while in season 2, the
genotypic variance (Vg) was 1.61, environmental variance
(Ve) was 2.84, genetic advance (GA) was 1.07 and broad
sense heritability (h2BS) was recorded to be 0.36 (Table
4).The heritability was low to moderate. Gnanamurthy et al.
(2013) recorded high approximation of genetic advance for
silking, in their study Increasing the quantitative
parameters, genetic variability, h2 and GA in maize
persuaded by mutation.

011

were recorded (Table 6). Heritability was moderate which

showed some level of environmental effect in breeding
material under study. Low heritability estimation was
observed by Salami et al., (2007) as well for this parameter.

Anthesis silking interval (ASI)

It is reported that low value of ASI is important because it
helps the maize crop to escape stress environment in
flowering stages and make surety of grain filling. The
positive ASI means silks come out before anthesis
(protogyny) in which female reproductive part of flower
matures first than male. The negative ASI means silks
become visible after anthesis (protandry) in which male
reproductive part of flower matures first than female. Low
heritability estimation was observed for both seasons. Low
heritability indicates high environmental impact on the
expression of parameters. In season 1, the least ASI -1 day
was recorded for TC-97, TC-183, & TC-107 while highest
was 1.5 days was recorded for TC-210, and 1.5 days was
recorded for the check 30-K08 (Table 5). In season 2, the
maximum anthesis silking interval of two days was
recorded for TC-105, TC-253, and minimum was of -2 of
days for TC-187, while 1 day was observed for the check
(Table 6). The estimates of heritability, genetic advance,
environmental variance, genotypic variance in season 1,
were recorded to be 0.11, 0.15, 0.83 and 0.10, respectively
(Table 3). In season 2, the heritability was 0.15, genetic
advance was 0.22, environmental variance was 0.88, and
genotypic variance was noted to be 0.16 (Table 4). High
heritability for ASI was recorded by Bekavac (2006).
Similarly Lingfu et al. (2008) also observed higher (0.70
0.85) B-S heritability for this trait. If both the heritability
and genetic advance estimation is high, then the selection in
such cases will be effective. From the results it observed
that the estimation of heritability and genetic advance was
low and selection could be less effective due to high
environmental influence for flowering traits.

Plant height (cm)

Days to mid-anthesis
Day to mid-anthesis is a significant index of maturity and
synchronization.The environmental variance (Ve) was 2.93,
genotypic variance (Vg) was 1.42, broad sense heritability
(h2Bs) was 0.33 and genetic advance (GA) was observed to
be 0.96 in season 1 (Table 3), while in season 2, Ve, Vg, h2BS
and GA were recorded to be 2.92, 1.73, 0.37and 1.12,
respectively (Table 4). In season 1,maximum days to50%
pollen shedding (80 days) were observed for TC-146,
minimum (72 days) for TC-98, TC-178, and TC-190, while
for the check 79 days were observed (Table 5). On the other
hand in season 2, maximum (69 days) for TC-168,
minimum (61 days) for TC-251 and for the check, 68 days

Plant height is an essential agronomic parameter and has a

fundamental role in lodging that affects the production. In
plant breeding programs, preference is given to plant
height for increasing the yield and lodging resistance,
therefore medium height is preferred for lodging control.
Statistical analysis related to plant height indicated highly
significant (P0.01) differences in both seasons. The
genotypic variance (Vg) was 48.42, environmental variance
(Ve) was 76.92, genetic advance (GA) was 6.11 and broad
sense heritability (h2BS) was observed to be 0.39 in season 1
(Table 3). In season 2, the Ve, Vg, h2BS and GA were
recorded to be 57.13, 14.69, 0.20 and 2.37, respectively
(Table 4). Maximum (174.67 cm) plant stature was

Academia Journal of Agricultural Research; Rahman et al.

012

Table 1. Mean squares values and co-efficient of variations.

Parameter
Days to tasseling
Days to silking
Days to anthesis
Anthesis silking interval
Plant height (cm)
Ear height (cm)

Mean squares values

Spring (Season 1)
Summer (Season 2)
NS
5.84
7.58**
6.46**
6.06**
5.78**
6.38**
1.04ns
1.20*
173.77**
86.51**
92.38*
45.59**

Spring (Season1)
2.99
2.54
2.25
--6.24
11.12

CV (%)
Summer (Season 2)
2.64
2.54
2.59
--5.86
6.67

Ns=Non-Significant, *=Significant at 5% level of probability, **=Significant at 1% level of probability.

Table 2. Genotype mean squares (GMS), error mean square (EMS) and genotypic variance (Vg) .

Parameter
Days to tasseling
Days to silking
Days to anthesis
Anthesis silking interval
Plant height (cm)
Ear height (cm)

Spring (Season 1)
GMS (M1) EMS (M2)
5.84
4.92
6.46
3.77
5.78
2.93
1.04
0.83
173.77
76.92
92.38
65.08

Vg
0.46
1.34
1.42
0.10
48.42
13.65

Summer (season 2)
GMS (M1) EMS (M2)
Vg
7.58
2.88
2.35
6.06
2.84
1.61
6.38
2.92
1.73
1.2
0.88
0.16
86.51
57.13
14.69
45.59
17.33
14.13

Table 3. Environmental variance (Ve), genotypic variance (Vg), broad-sense heritability

(h2BS) and genetic advance (GA) during season 1.

Parameter
Days to tasseling
Days to silking
Days to anthesis
Anthesis silking interval
Plant height (cm)
Ear height (cm)

Ve
4.92
3.77
2.93
0.83
76.92
65.08

Spring (Season 1)
Vg
h2BS
0.46
0.09
1.34
0.26
1.42
0.33
0.10
0.11
48.42
0.39
13.65
0.17

GA
0.29
0.83
0.96
0.15
6.11
2.11

Table 4. Environmental variance (Ve), genotypic variance (Vg), broad-sense

heritability (h2BS) and genetic advance (GA) during season 2.

Parameter
Days to tasseling
Days to silking
Days to anthesis
Anthesis silking interval
Plant height (cm)
Ear height (cm)

Summer (Season 2)
Ve
Vg
2.88
2.35
2.84
1.61
2.92
1.73
0.88
0.16
57.13
14.69
17.33
14.13

h2BS
0.45
0.36
0.37
0.15
0.20
0.45

GA
1.44
1.07
1.12
0.22
2.37
3.53

Academia Journal of Agricultural Research; Rahman et al.

013

Table 5. Maximum and minimum means (range) for various parameters during season 1.

Parameter
Days to tasseling
Days to silking
Days to anthesis
Anthesis silking interval
Plant height (cm)
Ear height (cm)

Testcross (TC)
146
146
146
210
193
193

Spring (Season 1)
Range
Maximum Testcross (TC) Minimum
79
190,109,183
70
81
183
71
80
190,178,98
72
1.5
97,183,107
-1
174.67
240
116.67
93.67
240
50

Check 30k-08
75.5
80.5
79
1.5
140
68.3

Table 6. Maximum and minimum means (range) for various parameters during season 2.

Parameter
Days to tasseling
Days to silking
Days to anthesis
Anthesis silking interval
Plant height (cm)
Ear height (cm)

Testcross (TC)
257
146
168
105,253
217
111

Summer (Season 2)
Range
Maximum Testcross (TC) Minimum
69
239
60
69
250
61
69
251
61
2
187
-2
148.34
137
109.8
79.16
152
53

recorded for TC-193 and lowest plant height of 116.67 cm

was recorded for TC-240, while for the check 140 cm of
height was computed in season 1 (Table 5). Similarly in
season 2, highest plant stature of 148.34 cm was noted for
TC-217. While minimum height of 109.8 cm was observed
for TC-137 and for the check (30-K08) 144.1 cm of plant
stature was observed (Table 6). Moderate heritability was
observed in season 1 and low heritably was recorded for
season 2. Low estimation of heritability indicated that
environmental impact affects the breeding materials under
the observation. Ajala et al. (2000) found low estimation of
heritability for plant height.

Ear height (cm)

The location of ear in maize is essential for lodging
resistances, if the ear is located over the middle the ear will
be affected by lodging and if it is situated below the middle,
animals will damage the crop. The placement of ear on
height from soil level apply pressure on plant during
maturity and grain filling time that cause lodging by which
yield could be affected. So the ear should be at the center
and optimal position. The analysis of variance pertaining to
ear height displayed significant differences in season 1 and
highly significant variation in season 2. The estimates of
heritability (h2BS), genetic advance (GA), environmental

Check 30k-08
65
69
68
1
144.1
73.3

variance (Ve) and genotypic variance (Vg), were observed

to be 0.17, 2.11, 65.08, and 13.65, respectively in season 1
(Table 3). In season 2, calculated Ve was 17.33, Vg was1
4.13, h2BS was 0.45 and GA was noted to be 3.53 (Table 4).
Maximum ear stature of 93.67 cm was recorded for TC-193
and lowest ear stature of 50 cm was recorded for TC-240 in
season 1, while for the check 68 cm ear height was
computed (Table 5). Similarly in season 2, highest ear
height of 79.16 cm was noted for TC-111, while minimum
(53 cm) height was observed for TC-152 and for the check
73.3 cm of ear stature was observed (Table 6). The ear
height is particularly a heritable parameter and cold be
controlled comparatively by few no of genes so due to high
level heritability the ear height can be boosted easily
through selection (Alam, 1999). The heritability estimation
was low to moderate in both seasons. Salami et al. (2007)
observed low estimation of heritability while analyzing the
genetic variability between the maize genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

On the basis of our results we conclude that early
generation testing for production of inbred line is very
crucial, to avoid wastage of resources and time. At early
stages we can select our desirable material for the
production of superior inbred lines. Estimation of

Academia Journal of Agricultural Research; Rahman et al.

014

heritability and genetic advance for all the parameters were

low to moderate which displayed comparatively high
environmental influences on the traits expression in the
breeding materials. The test-crosses which had low
heritability estimation could be evaluated in multiplelocation zones. In season 1, TC-137 & TC-163, while TC-162
& TC-165 exhibited medium plant stature in season 2,
medium height is preferred for lodging control. In season 1,
TC-148, TC-159 & TC-175, while TC-122, TC-107, & TC-103
in season 2, had the central location for the ear, which
showed the potential for lodging resistance. It was
recommended that plant height and ear height could be
taken into consideration during production of inbred lines
for superior hybrids.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are very grateful to Professor Dr. Hidayat Ur
Rahman for his supervision, guidance and suggestions in
completing this research work.
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Cite this article as:

Rahman HU, Habibullha, Liaqat S, Asif A (2015). Estimates of
heritability and genetic advance for morphological traits
improvement in maize (Zea mays). Acad. J. Agric. Res. 3(1):
009-014.
Submit your manuscript at
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