Enhancing Maize Yield: Analyzing Combining Ability and Superiority of Newly Developed Inbreds for High Yield through Diallel Analysis

Abstract

Developing new corn hybrids is a key factor for increasing maize productivity. Identifying the general and specific combining abilities for inbreds is crucial for developing hybrids and leveraging heterosis. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the combining ability for new promising inbreds and also the mean performance and superiority % of 21 hybrids. Twenty-one hybrids were formed by crossing seven elite inbreds using diallel cross scheme. During 2023 season, the formed hybrids were assessed alongside a two commercial check hybrids at Gemmiza, Sakha and Ismailia locations. The assessed traits were days to 50% silking, plant and ear heights and grain yield (ard/fed). Locations, crosses, GCA, SCA mean squares were high significance for all the measured traits. Both additive and non-additive effects played paramount role in the inheritance of the assessed traits. The inbreds P1, P2 and P4 possessed desirable GCA effects for yield. Remarkably, The two hybrids H-10 and H-18 obtained positive SCA effects for yield, significantly out-yielded the best check for yield, and demonstrated superiority percentage over both checks for grain yield. As a result, the study advise forwarding those two hybrids for further evaluation before registration and releasing for commercial production by Maize Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center to sustain food security in Egypt.