2012 · 16 citations · 1 references
Abstract: Protein and oil contents of maize grains are of considerable values for both livestock feeds and millers. In the present study, 14 inbred lines of maize and 15 crosses were evaluated for protein and oil contents. Protein content in grains of the 14 maize inbred lines ranged from 8.34 % to 11.60%. The inbreds K62, K5, K11, G342, L162B and K51 gave high protein content (11.60%, 10.40, 10.40, 10.39, 10.35 and 10.03%, respectively). With respect to the crosses, the values of protein content varied between 8.22 and 13.94%. Five crosses out of 15 gave high protein content, K11xRg59 (13.94%), K7xK62 (13.35%), Rg59xK62 (12.67%), K5xK7 (12.03%) and K5xK11 (11.44%). On the other hand, oil content in maize inbred line grains ranged from 7.67 to 11.56 %. The highest values of oil content were found in inbreds K7 (11.56%), K11 (11.44%), K8 (11.36%), K5 (11.36%), K10 (10.73) and K61 (10.36%). Regarding the crosses, the values of oil content were from 9.27 to 11.29%. Seven crosses out of fifteen gave high oil values, K5xL162B (11.29%), K5xRg59 (10.69%), K11xK62 (10.69%), K7xK11 (10.67%), K11xRg59 (10.65%), K5xK11 (10.55%) and K5xK7 (10.21%). Estimated values of protein in the studied crosses showed positive heterosis over the best parent in six crosses ranging from 2.79 % (K7xK11) to 34.04% (K11xRg59). All studied crosses showed negative heterotic values for oil content comparing to the best parent, while comparing to the mid-parents six crosses gave positive heterotic values ranged between 0.53 to 12.35% with average heterosis of 6.44%. The relationship between protein and oil contents was negative in the majority
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