Combining Ability Using Half Diallel Mating Design of Yellow Maize Inbred Lines

Combining abilities is prerequisite to developing good maize hybrids. A half diallel cross among seven new yellow maize inbred lines were made in 2022 summer growing season. The resulting, 21 F1 crosses along with two yellow commercial hybrids, SC.168 and SC. 3444 were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications at three locations in 2023 summer growing season. To study the combining ability to identify the most superior inbred lines and hybrids. Data recorded on days to 50% silking, plant and ear heights and grain yield. Results indicated that Both GCA and SCA mean squares were highly significant indicating the involvement of both additive and non-additive type of gene effects in the inheritance of all traits under study. However, the additive gene effects played the major role in the inheritance of all traits except for days to 50 %silking. The best inbred line for GCA effects were Gm.20 for earliness, Gm.6041 for short plant and ear heights, Gm.45 for grain yield. The best cross for SCA effects was (Gm.6041 × Gm.67) for earliness, (Gm.67 × Gm.34) for short plant height (cm), (Gm.6052 × Gm.20) for short ear height (cm) and (Gm.45× Gm.67) for high grain yield. These crosses will be evaluated to extensive testing in maize breeding program.