Genetika, oplemenjivanje bilja i sjemenarstvo 45. hrvatski i 5. međunarodni simpozij agronoma 363 ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPER Components of genetic variability on maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines for some quantitative parameters Sali Aliu, Shukri Fetahu, Skender Kaciu, Imer Rusinovci University of Prishtina, Faculty of Agriculture, str“ Bill Clinton“ N.N. 10000, Prishtina, Kosova (s_aliu@hotmail.com) Abstract The main objective of this study during two years investigations was to estimate some morphological and physiological parameters in 10 maize inbred lines with medium maturity. The experiment was based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The genetic variability of plant height between inbred lines 136 and 227 was 12.28%. The average value of ear leaf area (LA) were obtained by inbred line 136 (480.40cm 2 plant -1 ), whereas significantly lowest values showed by maize inbred 130 (315.66 cm 2 plant -1 ). The genetic variability between inbred lines was 40.27 %. The highest value of LAI was obtained at maize inbred 136 on coefficient 2.25 plant m -2 , whereas the lowest LAI was recorded in maize inbred 130 (1.55 plant m -2 ). The average value of ear weight was 65.87g. Higher value was realized at inbred line 236 (95.21 g), while with lower value for EW was at line A3LoT (44.53g). The differences between them were 50.68 g or 76.93%. Inbred line 236 was characterized on maximal grain yield value (2.78 t ha -1 ) while line A3LoT had realized only 1.31 tha -1 with distinction 1.47 t ha -1 or 77.36%. The maize inbred 136 was characterized with higher NAR (0.0384 g cm 2 day -1 ), whereas line A3LoT had realised minimal NAR (0.0058 gcm 2 day -1 ). The differences among lines were 0.0150 gcm 2 day -1 which was statistically significant of p=0.01 respectively. Key word: Maize inbred line, leaf area, ear weight, yield, net assimilation rate. Introduction One of the major objectives in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs to develop hybrid combination is necessary to have good maize inbred lines. To assist breeding for quantitative parameters on maize inbred lines an attempt was made to identify gene effects. The plant breeder is interested in estimation of gene effects in order to formulate the most advantageous breeding procedures for improvement of the characters (Abou Deif, 2007). Hybrid maize production in the world is based on development and crossing of inbred lines. Since the 1920s in USA, over 600 public inbred lines have been developed, some of which are now extinct (Gerdes et al., 1994) cited by Gethi et al.,(2002). Most of the modern inbreeds used in breeding programs are second or third cycle lines that were developed from other inbred lines or from synthetic populations derived from crossing inbreeds (Baker, 2002). Historically importance public inbred lines continue to play an importance role in maize improvement in many different breeding programs (Gethi et al.,2002). As a part of breeding and improving new lines and varieties, breeders must provide the qualifiers with an exact description of the performance for quantitative traits of the maize inbred lines. The activity for development of new hybrids in territory of Kosovo has started during the seventies, and more intensively has been working during the year 1980-1987, this activity has not end up successfully and these research work continue after year 1999 (Aliu et al., 2009). The purpose of this research was to have considered aspects by analysing quantitative parameters based on morphological, physiological and grain yield obtained from maize inbred lines in agro ecological conditions of Kosovo.