~ 1642 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2022; 11(5): 1642-1645 ISSN (E): 2277-7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.23 TPI 2022; 11(5): 1642-1645 © 2022 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 18-02-2022 Accepted: 31-04-2022 Prajjwal Pradhan Research Scholar, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India Bandan Thapa Regional Research Station, Hill Zone, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India Aditi Ghosh Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Science, University of Calcutta, West Bengal, India Vaskar Subba Department of Seed Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Science, University of Calcutta, West Bengal, India Chowa Ram Sahu Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural statistics, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India Sabyasachi Kundagrami Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Science, University of Calcutta. West Bengal, India Corresponding Author: Prajjwal Pradhan Research Scholar, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India Genetic variability assessment on yield attributing traits in maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines Prajjwal Pradhan, Bandan Thapa, Aditi Ghosh, Vaskar Subba, Chowa Ram Sahu and Sabyasachi Kundagrami Abstract In the present investigation, 33 maize inbred lines were evaluated for 12 traits to assess the mean performance and genetic parameters relevant to adoption of a breeding strategy. Grain yield/plant, single cob weight, number of grains/cob, ear height and plant height which exhibited moderately high variability, high GCV, heritability and genetic advance, are the most important characters to be considered for effective selection of hybrid as these traits are highly genetically controlled and less affected by environments indicating additive genetic effects. The study identified six promising inbred lines on the basis of their mean performance, the following inbred lines CML 509, CML-505, CML 167, CML 163-D, CML-511 and DMR QPM 102 having best yield contributing and cob characters and could be tested in different agro-ecologies to identify those that could be introgressed for further breeding programmes. Keywords: Character association, maize, inbred lines, positively correlated 1. Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal grain of the grass family Poaceae. Globally, maize is known as queen of cereals because of its highest genetic yield potential. It has also a potential to be bred (by benefitting from its hybrid vigor) and the ability to develop new varieties with superior traits. They provide humankind with more nourishment than any other food class and nearly half of the total caloric requirement. Maize is not only an important human nutrient, but also a basic element of animal feed and raw material for manufacture of many industrial products. Together with rice and wheat, maize is an essential source of at least 30% of the food calories of more than 4.5 billion people in about 94 developing countries (Shiferaw et al., 2011) [1] . It is one of the most versatile emerging crops having wider adaptability. Maize, which is the only food cereal crop that can be grown in different seasons requires moderate climate for growth In India, it is estimated that maize demand will continue to increase because of its diversified uses and increasing population. To meet the growing demand, enhancement of maize yield in coming years across all the growing locations in India is a big challenge in the era of climate change. Meeting such challenge will only be possible through science-based technological interventions like single cross hybrid technology and application of novel molecular tools and techniques in maize improvement. For inbred lines that serve as the seed parent in a production field, the evaluation of the grain yield and yield components of the inbred line per se is a way of estimating the profitability of commercial seed production for a maize hybrid (Pinnisch et al., 2011) [2] . Any trait that contributes to the stable production of large quantities of hybrid seed in a seed production field will be of interest to plant breeders. Knowledge of the amount and distribution of genetic variation and relationships between and within plant populations is indispensable for classifying parental lines and predicting future hybrid performance (Acquaah, 2007) [3] . The identification of the potential genotype is pre-requisite for taking up an efficient breeding programme Thapa et al., (2016) [4] . So it is necessary to produce maize varieties which are high-yielding in order to increase the production and productivity of maize, and more nutritious to supplement protein-deficient diets of the people than traditional varieties. 2. Materials and Method The experiment was conducted during 2017rabi season, comprised 33 maize inbred lines