GENERATION MEAN ANALYSIS OF SEEDLING ROOT CHARACTERISTICS IN MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS L)

The objective of this study was to assess the inheritance pattern of s eedling root characteristics in maize, using generation mean analysis. Two maize inbreds (Oh43 and H99) different in seedling root character istics, were crossed to produce the F-1 generation. The resulting F-1' s were selfed and back crossed to both parents to produce the F-2 and backcross generations. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Three weeks after planting data were obtained for number of adventitious, me socotyl, secondary seminal and lateral roots and root dry weight. Gene ration means were highly significant for all traits. The three paramet er model indicated the significance of all traits while using the six parameter model, significance is evidenced only for mesocotyl roots. T he relative magnitude of dominance gene effects was greater than the a dditive gene effects. Percent heterosis varied from 2.54 for adventiti ous roots to 103.52, for root dry weight. Broad sense heritability est imates of 88 and 88%, were observed for adventitious and mesocotyl roo ts, respectively. Other traits indicated a low level of heritability. All of the seeding root traits were positively and highly significantl y correlated with each other; however, these relationships were of mod erate nature.