Abstract
Combining ability analysis for grain yield and yield component traits in maize were carried out in 8×8 diallel cross. The analysis of variance showed there is highly significant variation between the genotypes for all the traits considered. Year of testing was significant only for days to maturity and grain yield per hectare. The highest percentage of heterosis for grain over the standard varieties (BH 660) was observed by the cross L1 x L4 (29.3%) followed by crosses L1 x L5 (28.3%), L3 x L5 (21.7%) and L1 x L7 (20.8%). Mid-parent heterosis for days to maturity ranged from -2.5 to -23.9%, whereas that of better parent heterosis ranged from 0 to -13% indicating that the hybrids tend to be earlier in maturity than the parents. The mean squares due to GCA for days to maturity, ear diameter, member of kernels per row, 1000 kernel weight and grain yield were significant, indicating the importance of additive genetic variance in controlling these traits. The mean squares due to SCA were also significant for days to maturity, ear length, member of kernels per row and 1000 kernel weight indicating the importance of non-additive genetic variance in controlling these traits. The inbred lines L1, L3, and L4 were good general combiners for grain yield.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crop in Ethiopia and is grown across 13 agro-ecological zones
It is significant that Ethiopia produces non-genetically modified (GMO) white maize, the preferred type of maize in neighbouring markets (CSA, 2013)
With this aim in mind, this research was conducted with the objective to study heterosis and combining ability in maize (Zea mays L.) for yield and yield related traits in eastern Ethiopia
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crop in Ethiopia and is grown across 13 agro-ecological zones It is the first crop in production more than any other cereal crop in the country. Concentrated efforts are underway in the country by different maize research institutions to move more toward the use of hybrids varieties To fulfill this aim, combining ability studies have prime importance in maize hybrid development since it provides information for the selection of parents and provides information on the nature and magnitude gene actions. In specific combining ability; dominance or epistatic effects of genes are commonly involved in maize (Rahman, 2013) With this aim in mind, this research was conducted with the objective to study heterosis and combining ability in maize (Zea mays L.) for yield and yield related traits in eastern Ethiopia
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