Genetic variability of yield and its components in selected imidazolinone resistant maize (zea mays l.) genotypes under Sudan conditions

Field experiments were conducted at Gezira and Rahad Research Station Farms, for two consecutive seasons 2006 and 2007 arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Twelve imidazolinone resistant (lR) maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes introduced from CIMMYT, Kenya, known for their Striga resistance, in addition to Var ll3 (control), were evaluated for yield potential, genetic variability, genotypic coefficients of variance (GCV), phenotypic coefficients of variance (PC V), the broad sense heritability ( square h B), genetic advance, and association of yield and yield components. Significant differences and high variability were observed among the genotypes tested for most of the traits studied over the two locations and seasons. Traits with high value of GCV and heritability accompanied with high genetic advance were recorded for ear height and fresh weight husked, fresh weight dehusked and number of kernels/row. High broad sense heritability estimates (68.1 %) were recorded for most traits studied except dry ear weight (48.1%) and ear diameter (47.9%), while low heritability estimates were shown by husk leaves number (31.1 %) and grain yield (20.7%). Genetic advance (GA) as percentage of mean for most traits studied was high, except the husk leaves number and ear diameter. The IR maize genotypes ECA-STRIGOFF- VE-216No., ECA-QPOPI and ECA¬STRIGOFF- VE-21 0No. gave the higher (3976, 3632 and 3543 kg/ha) grain yield and were comparable to the local check that gave the highest (4080 kg/ha) grain yield. High positive correlation with most important yield. Ear dry weight, 100 kernel weight, number of kernels/row and ear length had positive correlation with yield that ranged from (0.60 - 0.84), while days to tasseling, days to silking and husk leaves number had negative correlation. This study revealed that IR maize genotypes ECA¬STRlGOFF-VE-216No., ECA-QPOPI and ECA- STRlGOFF-VE-210No. are promising due to their high potential in grain yield and some other important yield components like ear dry weight, 100 kernel weight, number of kernels/row and ear length, in addition to their Striga resistance under Sudan conditions. Accordingly they could be useful for cultivation in Striga prone areas under Sudan conditions