BREEDING STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE (QPM) UNDER WATER DEFICIT REGIME

Complete diallel analysis involving eight QPM inbred lines was conducted during two consecutive years i.e. spring 2008 and 2009 under normal and water stressed conditions. Computation of genetic variances and graphical description revealed consistency of additive gene action with partial dominance governing the inheritance of protein, tryptophan and lysine percentage in maize under normal, as well as drought stress conditions. These findings suggests that similar breeding strategies for improvement of these traits works well under both water regimes, although general perception for biochemical traits is antagonistic due to the complexity of these traits. Moreover, it is suggested that improvement in maize for these quality traits can be done through recurrent selection.