| dc.description.abstract | Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important economic
crop on the African continent. However, its
production is constrained by both abiotic and
biotic factors. Among the abiotic stresses
phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the major
constraints affecting maize productivity. The
objective of this study was therefore to
investigate the type of gene action conditioning
phosphorus utilization in P-limited soils.
Thirteen, previously screened inbred lines with
varying performances relative to phosphorus
utilization in P-limited soils, were mated
according to North Carolina Design II (NCD II)
(8 females × 5 males). Forty (40) progenies were
evaluated in a screen house using a completely
randomized design (CRD), with three
replications, and two levels of P (0 kg P and 60
kg P). Shoot biomass, root biomass, plant
biomass and plant height were measured after
the plants were harvested and dried at 80 o C for
72 h. Specific combining ability (SCA) was
found to be highly significant (P < 0.001) for all
measured traits. General combining ability
(GCA) was significant only for root biomass (P
= 0.05). The Baker’s ratio for plant height, shoot
biomass, root biomass and plant biomass was
0.12, 0.15, 0.49 and 0.28, respectively,
indicating that predominantly non- additive gene
action conditioned all parameters, except root
biomass, where both additive and non-additive
gene action were found to be important. | en_US |
