Harnessing Genetic Potential in Yellow Maize: Combining Ability, Heterosis, and Heritability Across Tow Environments | ||||
| Minia Journal of Agricultural Research and Development | ||||
| Volume 45, Issue 4, December 2025, Page 563-582 PDF (1.06 MB) | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjard.2025.446811 | ||||
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| Abstract | ||||
| Maize (Zea mays L.) is crucial for global food security, yet its productivity in Egypt remains below national demand. This study evaluated 45 F1 hybrids derived from ten diverse inbred lines using a half-diallel mating design across two distinct locations during 2024 growing seasons. Highly significant differences among genotypes and significant genotype × environment interactions were observed for most traits, notably plant height, ear height, kernel number per row, 100-kernel weight, and ear weight/ plot. Both additive and non-additive gene actions contributed to traits variation. Traits such as days to 50% silking and number of rows per ear exhibited high broad and narrow-sense heritability, indicating potential for genetic improvement through selection. Parental lines P3, P4, and P8 were identified as the best general combiners for grain yield and its key components. Strong heterotic responses were detected, particularly for ear weight per plot, with cross P7×P8 achieving 237% heterosis relative to the better parent. Crosses such as P1×P5, P2×P8, and P8×P10 showed favorable specific combining ability effects, making them promising candidates for future breeding programs. Correlation analysis reveald that early flowering, plant height, kernel number per row, and 100-kernel weight were strongly and positively associated with grain yield, highlighting their utility as indirect selection criteria. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| : maize; diallel cross; heterosis; combining ability; heritability; trait association | ||||
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