An investigation was executed during kharif 2017 and rabi 2017-18, using 90 crosses comprising of two diverse
populations in maize in randomized block design with two replications to assess general and specific combining ability
effects of parents and crosses, respectively, and gene action for 12 characters. Analysis of variance revealed that mean sum
of squares of parents and hybrids were significant for 12 characters which imply existence of greater diversity in parental
lines for these characters. The contribution of female towards hybrid variance was higher than males for all the characters.
The analysis of variance revealed highest magnitude of non-additive gene action than additive gene action for all the
characters that were studied. Lines viz. , P-I-5, P-I-3, P-II-10, P-I-2, P-II-24, P-I-7, P-I-4, P-I-29, P-II-6, P-I-33 and P-II-21
are good general combiners for maximum number of yield contributing characters and crosses P-II-12 × Renuka and P-II-24
× CM501 gave highest negative sca effects for days to 50 per cent tasseling and days to 50 per cent silking, respectively.
Estimation of percentage of heterosis over mid parent (relative heterosis), better parent (heterobeltiosis) and over the two
checks (standard heterosis) revealed ten superior cross combinations for grain yield (q/ha) which are P-I-16 × CM501, PI-4 × CM501, P-I-5 × CM501, P-II-7 × Renuka, P-I-32 × CM501, P-I-7 × CM501, P-II-10 × Renuka, P-I-29 × CM501,
P-I-7 × Renuka and P-II-21 × CM501.