Morpho-biochemical Characterization of Yield, Maturity and Nutritional Quality in White Maize Inbred Lines under Temperate Conditions
A. Rashid
Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Jammu and Kashmir, India.
P. A. Sofi
Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Jammu and Kashmir, India.
M. A. Wani
Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Jammu and Kashmir, India.
F. J. Wani
Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Jammu and Kashmir, India.
K. R. Dar
Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Jammu and Kashmir, India.
H. A. Malik
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bandipora-II, (Gurez), Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Z. A. Dar *
Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Jammu and Kashmir, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
White maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal for human consumption in temperate regions, yet its genetic improvement remains limited due to inadequate evaluation of adapted germplasm and insufficient integration of agronomic and nutritional traits. The present study aimed to assess the extent of agro-morphological variability, yield potential, and nutritional quality among 100 white maize inbred lines, along with three locally adapted checks, under temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir. Field evaluation was conducted during two consecutive kharif seasons (2022 and 2023) using an Augmented Block Design. Thirteen agro-morphological and yield-related traits were recorded to quantify phenotypic diversity and genotypic performance. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among inbred lines for flowering, maturity, plant height, ear characteristics, kernel traits, and grain yield across both years, indicating a broad and stable genetic base. Several inbred lines consistently outperformed the checks for yield and maturity traits, demonstrating their suitability for temperate environments with short growing seasons. The consistency of trait expression across years further confirmed the reliability of the evaluated germplasm for selection and breeding. Biochemical profiling of selected inbred lines showed substantial variation in glycemic index (GI), protein content, and resistant starch (RS). Notably, inbred lines G37, G41, G72, and G63 exhibited low GI, high protein content, and elevated RS, identifying them as nutritionally superior and suitable for health-oriented maize improvement. An inverse association between GI and RS/protein content highlighted the scope for simultaneous improvement of yield and nutritional quality. Overall, the study identified genetically diverse, agronomically superior, and nutritionally enriched white maize inbred lines that can serve as valuable parental resources for developing early-maturing, high-yielding, and nutritionally enhanced hybrids adapted to temperate agro-climatic conditions.
Keywords: White maize, inbred lines, agro-morphological variability, grain yield, resistant starch, glycemic index