title: Genetic analysis of maturity and flowering characteristics in maize (Zea mays L.).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the pattern of inheritance and determine the relative magnitude of various genetic effects for maturity and flowering attributes in subtropical maize.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four white grain maize inbred lines from flint group of corn, two with late maturity and two with early maturity, were used. These contrasting inbred lines were crossed to form four crosses. Six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) were developed for each individual cross. These were evaluated in triplicate trial for two consecutive years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both dominance gene action and epistatic interaction played major role in governing inheritance of days to pollen shedding, 50% silking, anthesis silking interval and maturity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preponderance of dominance gene action for these traits indicated their usefulness in hybrid programs of subtropical maize.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Botany and Biodiversity Conservation, University of Swat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sher
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Kiramat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasir
authors.lastname: Hameed-Ur-Rahman
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D002678:Chimera / Q000235:genetics*; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D014918:Wills; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Generation means; Genetic analysis; Maize; Maturity