Abstract
Half diallel crossing among five inbred lines of maize was performed to estimate the combining ability effects and some genetic parameters. The crosses differed significantly for all the studied traits. Also, GCA and SCA mean squares were significant. The ratio GCA/SCA exhibited values under one indicating that non-additive gene action mainly controls the expression of all the studied traits. Inbred line 4 contributed significantly to the good performance of the hybrids for grain yield traits. Also, inbred line 5 exhibited desirable GCA effects for five traits and it seems to be promising. The crosses 2x4, 1x4 and 3x5 own highest mean and SCA effects for grain yield.
Highlights
Maize is an important crop grown in Iraq mainly for feeding
A diallel matting system is an excellent approach for detecting performance of the parents and their offspring, where they separated into components related to General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects [1]
Mean square due to GCA and SCA were highly significant for all the studied traits indicating that both additive and non- additive gene effects were involved in the inheritance of these traits
Summary
Maize is an important crop grown in Iraq mainly for feeding. There is an increasing requirement for maize grain as a response to extend in animal breeding. A diallel matting system is an excellent approach for detecting performance of the parents and their offspring, where they separated into components related to GCA and SCA effects [1]. The predictable value of any defined cross is the sum of GCA s of its two parental lines, while the divergence from this expected value is called SCA. GCA values estimate the relative importance of the parents in terms of the concerned trait, whereas SCA describes the importance of the combined action of the genes of parents [3]. Wali [4], mentioned that the number of kernels per row and weight of 100 kernels is under the control of non-additive gene action. Estimate combining ability may be a useful approach for breeders in their attempts to derive new maize genotypes with high potential. The goal of the study reported here was to rate some genetic parameters to be used on maize inbred lines selection in the process of the production of the hybrid
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
