Genetic Variability and Correlation in Single Cross Hybrids of Quality Protein Maize (Zea Mays L.) (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Maize contributes 15% (more than 50 million tonnes) of protein and 19% of the calories derived from food crops in the world's diet [1]. During the period 1980 to 1997, maize production in Africa grew at an average annual rate of about two percent per annum. The average yield of the crop during this period was about one tonne per hectare [2]. Of the three major developing regions of the world, Africa is the only one in which the index of per capita food production has declined steadily during the last two decades [3]. As a result, the specter of hunger and malnutrition is perpetually hanging over the countries of the continent where an estimated 35 percent of the population, some 140 million people, largely children and women suffer from hunger and malnutrition [4]. In Nigeria, maize is one of the most important cereal crops, its production has progressively increased over the years with estimated national outputs reaching 7.68million tonnes in 1995 [5] and the projected production and demand by the year 2010 is put at 13.4million tonnes [6]. The bulk of maize produced in Nigeria is used directly for human consumption as well as infant nutrition in form of porridge during weaning period without any protein supplement such as egg, meat or beans, which are comparatively more costly especially in rural areas. The development of maize varieties and hybrids with high yield potential, improved nutritional quality and improved adaptation to various environments is important to increasing productivity in the diverse production environments. Useful maize inbred lines, varieties, and hybrids have been commonly selected from adapted tropical germplasm for the different growing environments in West and Central Africa [7]. Furthermore, broadening and diversifying the genetic base of adapted maize germplasm through the introduction of new genetic variation can further enhance progress for selection for both grain yield and stability of performance. Exotic germplasm has been suggested as potential source of new beneficial alleles for introgression into adapted germplasm to increase the variability in both qualitatively and quantitatively inherited traits [8, 9]. In tropical areas of West and Central Africa, landraces, temperate and introduced tropical germplasm can be potential sources of unique alleles useful for breeding programs [10].