Résumé
A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2010 and rabi 2010-11 at Rice section, ARI, Rajendranagar, involving 7 parents, 7 F1 hybrids and their corresponding F2 populations to study the genetic parameters i.e. variability, heritabiity and genetic advance cross-wise in aromatic rice. A critical examination of genetic parameters in each cross in F2 generation revealed the presence of wider range of variability for both yield and quality traits. The estimates of heritability and genetic advance varied depending on the cross and also the character. Estimates of heritability in broad sense and genetic advance were high for number of grains per panicle, grain yield per plant and kernel length whereas, the estimates were relatively low-moderate for the remaining characters. Keeping in view the gene action known from the genetic parameters, selection on important yield components viz., number of grains per panicle and grain yield per plant and the quality trait, kernel length was suggested to bring out further improvement in aromatic rice. The crosses, RNR 2354 × Sye 632002 and YAMINI × BM 71 for number of grains per panicle, PUSA 1121 X MTU 1010 for grain yield per plant, PUSA 1121 × BM 71 and PUSA 1121× MTU 1010 for kernel length were identified as better crosses for further advancement to develop pure lines with high yield and quality.
Résumé
Maize (Zea mays) is a major food and animal feed worldwide and occupies a relevant place in the world economy and trade as an industrial grain crop. Currently more than 70% of maize production is used for food and feed; therefore, knowledge of genes involved in grain structure and chemical is important for improving the nutritional and food-making properties of maize. It is a good source of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals but deficient in two essential amino acids, Viz., lysine and tryptophan. To overcome this problem and to improve the above quality characters the maize breeders have followed different strategies like opaque 2, QPM and development of transgenic maize with improved quality characters. Finally we can conclude that the conventional breeding techniques and now plant biotechnology are helping meet the growing demand for food production, nutrition security while preserving our environment for future generations.