Devesh et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 15(2): 708-711(2023) 708 ISSN No. (Print): 0975-1130 ISSN No. (Online): 2249-3239 Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Yield and Kernel Iron and Zinc Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.) Pavan Devesh 1* , Rajesh Singh 2 , Kartikeya Srivastava 2 , M. Shankar 1 , Pargat Singh 1 and Munnesh Kumar 1 1 Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), India. 2 Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), India. (Corresponding author: Pavan Devesh * ) (Received: 02 January 2023; Revised: 04 February 2023; Accepted: 15 February 2023; Published: 18 February 2023) (Published by Research Trend) ABSTRACT: Maize is one of the important cereal crop cultivated around the world. Micronutrients malnutrition is a major concern in the peoples of developing countries. Present study was done to estimate the genetic parameters of forty-six maize genotypes (inbred lines) collected from CIMMYT, Hyderabad and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. The research experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi during Kharif 2018. ANOVA indicated a significant difference among maize genotypes for all the characters. Genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was lower than phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) for all the characters. Highest heritability (bs) was detected for plant height followed by kernel zinc content, kernel iron content, grain yield per plant, days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking and cob length without husk. Highest genetic advance was observed for plant height whereas, the highest genetic advance as percentage of mean (GAM) was observed for kernel zinc content followed by kernel iron content, 100 seed weight and cob length without husk. The findings of the present investigation indicated the presence of enough genetic variability among the maize genotypes analysed, which can be exploited for maize improvement programs and development of cultivars/hybrids to enrich iron and zinc content in maize kernels. Keywords: Maize, PCV, GCV, heritability, iron and zinc. INTRODUCTION Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop that belongs to the tribe Maydeae of the order Poales, family Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae and genus Zea. It is known as the “queen of cereals” because of its high production potential and adaptability to a wide range of environments. It is cultivated widely throughout the world and has the highest production among all the cereals. In recent past, maize is attainment popularity among farmers mostly due to its high yield, more economic return and multipurpose uses. In India, maizeis the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. India's maize production varies between 10-14 million tons, with 80-90% of the production being in the Kharif season. Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have the highest area under maize (15% each) among Indian states followed by Maharashtra (10%), Rajasthan (9%), Uttar Pradesh (8%), Bihar (7%), Telangana State (6%), Gujarat (5%), Tamil Nadu (4%), J&K (3%) and others (18%). Bihar produces highest maize after Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh is having the highest state productivity (Anonymous, 2021). To develop the maize cultivar with high iron and zinc concentrations, it is a prerequisite to identify maize germplasm with higher content of both the elements in grin and comprehend genetic mechanism. Micronutrients are required in trace amounts for the proper functioning of human metabolism. Deficiency of these micronutrients in diet will lead to micronutrient malnourishment or hidden hunger, which affects 3 billion people and will be increased when the global population is expected to reach 8 billion by 2025 (Khush et al., 2012). Iron plays a vital role in the metabolic processes and its deficiency causes anaemia. Zinc deficiency is a well-documented problem in food crops, causing decreased crop yields and nutritional quality. Generally, the regions in the world with zinc-deficient soils are also characterized by widespread zinc deficiency in humans. Recent estimates indicate that nearly half of the world population suffers from zinc deficiency (Cakmak, 2008). Variability of kernel iron and zinc concentration in maize has been reported by several researchers. Banziger and Long (2000), observed kernel iron and zinc in range of 9.60-63.20 mg/kg and 12.90-57.60 mg/kg respectively. Prasanna et al. (2011) evaluated 30 maize inbred lines and reported kernel iron concentration in range from Biological Forum – An International Journal 15(2): 708-711(2023)