Combining Ability and Heterosis Effects between 12 Exotic Maize Populations and Domestic Germplasm

Abstract

The introgression of exotic maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm with abundant genetic variation from International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the United States could be an important approach for broadening the genetic basis of maize germplasm used in China. The objectives of this study were to evaluate combining ability and heterosis effects between exotic and domestic maize populations by Miranda Filho-Geraldi model. Twelve populations from the United States and CIMMYT were test-crossed with three domestic populations (Csyn 5, Csyn 6, and Csyn 7) in an NCII mating design. Thirty-six crosses and one commercial hybrid (Zhengdan 958) were evaluated in 2009 and 2010 at Shunyi in Beijing, Jinan in Shandong province, and Xinxiang in Henan Province. The results showed that the populations Pob43, La Posta, Pob21, Pob32, Pob49, and Pob501 had a good performance in GCA of yield and related traits. Pob49 and Pob501 were closer to PA germplasm; Pob32 and BS29 were closer to PB germplasm; Pob43 and La Posta were closer to Sipingtou germplasm. Therefore, on the based of exotic germplasm adaptation, we recommended to compose populations or composites between Pob21, Pob49, Pob501, and domestic heterotic group A, Pob32 and domestic heterotic group B, as well as Pob43, La Posta, and domestic heterotic group D germplasm, in order to broaden genetic basis of domestic germplasm groups.