Combining ability performance and heterotic grouping of maize (Zea mays) inbred lines in testcross formation in Western Amhara, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Development and selections of appropriate parents’ are perquisites for hybrid variety development and need knowledge of heterotic grouping and combining ability. The research was investigated to identify good general combiner inbred lines and good specific combiner three-way crosses using randomized complete block design with three replications. Sixteen crosses (eight inbred lines crossed with two testers) and three standard checks were evaluated for yield and yield components. Analysis of variance disclosed significant differences among genotypes for most traits indicating existence of variability among genotypes. General combining ability (GCA) for grain yield demonstrated five inbred lines and T2 was good general combiner for grain yield. Specific combining ability (SCA) analysis revealed eight hybrids were good specific combiner for grain yield. Three hybrids explained good correspondence between mean grain yield and SCA. Four inbred lines (L1, L2, L5 and L7) were grouped in to heterotic group A and the remaining four lines were classified in to heterotic group B. Inbred lines from different heterotic group can be used for hybrids development and lines within a heterotic group and good GCA can be used for synthetic varieties development. Crosses with desirable SCA and better yield performance will be tested in multi-location trials.

Keywords

• general combining ability
• specific combining ability
• hybrid
• tester