Dus Descriptors Based Characterization of Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines

DUS testing is one of the important criteria to test inbred lines for distinctness, uniformity and stability. Effective plant breeding programme requires a basic understanding of the existence of genetic variability in a population. Characterization and evaluation of variability is prerequisite for the efficient use of genetic material. Maize is one of the economic crops of global importance. Hence, in the present investigation, morphological characterization of thirty-two maize inbred lines was carried out as per the DUS descriptors. Out of the twenty-seven traits under study, fourteen were found dimorphic and six characters were with trimorphic expression, indicating that all the traits were informative with respect to trait expression cum characterization. Presence of wide variation among the thirty-two maize inbreds would aid in selection of inbreds with desirable characters for further breeding programme. The present investigation was undertaken to characterize the thirty-two maize inbreds based on DUS descriptors.