Maize Crosses Research Articles

Performance Evaluation and Identification of Highland Quality Protein Maize Hybrids in Ethiopia

Background: Maize plays an indispensable role in meeting high food demand. It is globally one of the most widely adopted and cultivated crops. Hybrid development from fixed inbred lines is one of the strategies for the improvement of maize production. The national average maize yield is low in East Africa; thus, the selection of promising germplasm has a great role to meet the high food demand of growing the population. Forty-two Quality Protein Maize (QPM) crosses (21 inbred lines each crossed with two testers) along with three popular standard hybrids checks were evaluated in two replications using alpha lattice during the 2017 cropping season at Ambo, Arsi-Negele, and Kulumsa. The objective of this study was to evaluate and select the best new QPM hybrids for grain yield, and other agronomic and morphological characteristics.
 Results: Significant difference among crosses was observed for 19 traits at Ambo, 14 traits at Arsi-Negele, and 19 traits at Kulumsa. Out of 28 traits studied, six of them did not show genotype by location interaction but they showed a significant genotypic effect. These traits were: Days to Silking (DS), Number of Ears per plant (EPP), Ear Length (EL), Kernels Per Row (KPR), Ear Diameter (ED), and Thousand Seed Weight (TSW). Based on the mean performance in the combined analysis, from 42 new QPM crosse, six of them (L8xT2, L7xT1, L8xT1, L19xT1, L6xT2, and L18xT1) were scored higher grain yield compared with the mean of the three standard checks and best conventional maize (CM) check (AMH853). L8xT2, L7xT1, L8xT1 crosses showed a higher grain yield advantage over the best check (AMH853) by 20.87, 14.13, and 13.63%, respectively.
 Conclusion: The study implicated the existence of a difference between the newly developed hybrids and the standard check varieties. In general, the study enabled us to identify promising crosses that could be forwarded for further use in maize breeding programs in future work.

Mid-parent and Better Parent Heterosis Study on Highland Quality Protein Maize Hybrids in Ethiopia

Determination of heterosis in maize hybrids is necessary for the identification of superior F1 hybrids for breeding programs. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the amount of mid parent (MPH) and better parent heterosis (BPH) for grain yield, yield-related, agronomic, and morphological traits. Hybrid development from fixed inbred lines is one of the strategies for the improvement of maize production. The national average maize yield in Ethiopia is low and thus, selection of promising germplasm, knowledge of combining ability, and heterotic grouping are prerequisites to developing high-yielding maize varieties. Forty-two Quality Protein Maize (QPM) crosses (21 inbred lines each crossed with two testers) along with three popular standard hybrids were evaluated in two replications using alpha lattice during the 2017 cropping season at Ambo and, Arsi-Negele. Parental line trials consisting of 21 lines, two testers, and one conventional maize (CM) parent check (FS67) were established in two replications laid out using RCBD side by side with the hybrid trials at Ambo and Arsi-Negele. At Ambo, almost all crosses showed positive and significant BPH except three crosses (L1xT1, L4xT1, and L13xT1). The maximum BPH (276.2%) was obtained from L17xT2. Similarly, at Arsi-Negele, most of the crosses had positive and significant BPH except for five crosses for BPH which are showing negative heterosis. The highest BPH was obtained from L10xT2 at Arsi-Negele. Generally, the high yielding crosses had reasonable BPH. Based on the result promising crosses and lines were identified. Some of the crosses showed good performance in terms of heterosis against the mid parent and better parent: L17xT2 (329.88% MPH, 276.18% BPH), L3xT2(320.05% MPH, 273.91%BPH), and L19xT2(2802.57% MPH, 247.31% BPH) at Ambo, whereas at Arsi-Negele L10xT2 (128.38% MPH, 111.27%BPH) and L11xT2(115.33% MPH, 98.00% BPH) showed the higher heterosis compared with the mid parent and better parent. Crosses that showed best yield performance were: L8xT2, L7xT1, L8xT1, L19xT1, L6xT2, and L18xT1. These crosses should be reconsidered for further evaluation and possible release.

Genetic Analysis and Heterosis Studies in 5×5 Diallel Crosses of Maize under the Meteorological Conditions of Rawalakot

This experiment was performed to evaluate heterosis and combining ability of morphological traits in maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Twenty maize hybrids were obtained by 5×5 complete diallel crosses in first year and were evaluated for plant attributes like plant height, ear height, ear leaf area, flag leaf area, days to 50% silking, days to 50% pollen shed, anthesis-silking interval (ASI), no. of leaves per plant, no. of branches per tassel, no. of kernel rows per ear and kernels per row, 1000-kernel weight, shelling percentage, grain plus biological yield per plant and harvest index in second year. Among the crosses NCEV-4 × NCEV-3 (462.70g) showed maximum 1000-kernel weight, followed by NCEV-3 × EV-70040 (451.33g), while highest grain yield per plant was recorded for NCEV-4 × NCEV-3 (152.97g), followed by NCEV-3 × EV-70040 (145.10g). Maximum and highly significant heterosis and heterobeltiosis was found in cross NCEV-1530-11 × HNG (70.49 and 67.54), followed by HNG × EV-70040 (65.57 and 56.39) and HNG × NCEV-1530-11 (64.14 and 61.3), rest of the crosses also showed positive and highly significant heterosis and heterobeltiosis for grain yield per plant. Among the parents NCEV-3 has best GCA for grain yield (4.30) while cross NCEV-3 × NCEV-4 has best SCA for grain yield per plant (18.10) and could be used in hybridization for yield improvement.

Superiority and Gene Action of Some New Promising Maize Crosses Under Two Nitrogen Levels

Superiority and Gene Action of Some New Promising Maize Crosses Under Two Nitrogen Levels

Genotype X Environment Interaction Studies in Single Cross Maize Hybrids for Quality Traits under Different Environments

Sixty eight genotypes of maize (48 hybrids, 16 parents and 4 checks were evaluated under three different environments to test their stability. Variance due to genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interactions were found significant for oil content, starch content and protein content. Regression approach by Eberhart and Russel 1966 used to investigate the nature of G x E interaction and for identifying genotypes possessing general and specific adaption. None of the hybrids had stability for all quality traits. For Grain Starch content hybrid EI-1155-1 x EI-2416, for oil content hybrid EI-670-2 x EI-2403 and for Protein content hybrids EI-2187 x EI-2403, EI-536-3 x EI-2403, EI-2176 x EI-561-2,EI-2173 x EI561-7 had higher mean values, non significant deviation from regression and regression coefficient around unity (bi=1) indicating the stable performance in different environment and wider adaptability.

Yield Stability Analysis in Maize Hybrids of Southwest China under Genotype by Environment Interaction Using GGE Biplot

Selecting superior genotypes across different environments is vital for varietal release, crop planting, and commercial use. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to appraise the performance of hybrids approved in recent years in diverse environments, and recommend high-yielding and stable genotypes for wider adaptation. Fourteen single cross maize hybrid genotypes (G), including a check, were implemented across ten environments (E) in two crop seasons (2020 and 2021). The combined analysis of variance revealed that G, E, and their interactive (GEI) significantly (p < 0.01) affected the grain yield. Moreover, the mean grain yield ranged from 9333 kg ha−1 for HH-2 (2021) to 13,195 kg ha−1 for LD-18 (2020). The “which won where” GGE biplot revealed the existence of mega environments with their own best hybrids (LD-18 and LD-29 in 2020; LD-18, LD-19, and YY-1506 in 2021). The “mean vs. stable” GGE biplot suggested that LD-18 and ZY-811, with highest/middle productive and high stability across 10 environments, were closest to the ideal genotype. Furthermore, the “discriminating power vs. representativeness” GGE biplot showed that Xuanwei, Yanshan, Gengma, and Shiling were the most the ideal test environments for hybrid selecting, based on their discriminative ability and representativeness. Therefore, the GGE biplot analysis allowed for an efficient selection of high-yielding and stable maize hybrids to guide ecological planting and commercial use.

Assessing the Fodder Potentials of Drought-Tolerant Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids in West Africa

The study evaluated the fodder potential of 42 promising drought-tolerant (DT) three-way cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids, 11 commercial hybrid checks, and 1 local variety check under irrigation. Agronomic and laboratory trials were conducted to determine their morphological traits and fodder potential. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to group cultivars into clusters is based on quantity, quality, and the combination of both variables. Selection of potential food-feed cultivars was based on the quantity traits (grain and biomass yield) and quality traits crude protein (CP), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME). Variation was found for dry matter yield (DMY) at harvest as commercial hybrid recording the maximum DMY of 14.1 t ha−1 and the highest grain yield of 1.4 t ha−1 (P < 0.01), while local check produced a minimum grain yield of 0.54 t ha−1 (P < 0.01) with grain moisture content range between 8.4 and 11.6%. The maximum mean ash content was 5.8% for DT hybrids. Average CP was the highest in commercial hybrids with a value of 6.1%. The mean values for ME were similar (P > 0.01) in both commercial hybrids (7.2 MJ/kg DM) and DT hybrid (7.2 MJ/kg DM), while the highest ME (7.6 MJ/kg DM) was recorded for the local check. Ranking of the hybrids based on grain yield, DMY, CP, ME, and IVOMD showed that cluster subgroup A3 (M1124–24, M1527-7, 30F32, and M1427-6) and A4 (M1427-3, SC637, and M1627-11) exhibited the best potential traits and can therefore be recommended for commercial cultivation following adoption trials by farmers.

Effect of planting time on yield and related-traits of 24 three-way cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Effect of planting time on yield and related-traits of 24 three-way cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Commercial heterosis for yield and yield related components in test crosses of yellow maize

An experiment on commercial heterosis for yield and yield related components in test crosses of yellow maize (Zea mays L.) was conducted in summer cropping season 2020, at Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI) Pirsabak, Nowshera. Data were recorded on 50% pollen shedding, 50% silking, plant height, ear height, earshectare-1, plant population ha-1, and grain yield. Minimum50% pollen shedding (60 days) was recorded for the genotypes, G-10, G-17, G-29 and G-30. Minimum commercial heterosis (-0.81%) was recorded for the genotypes G-10 and G-17 for the trait of 50% pollen shedding. Lowest value for 50% silking (63 days) was exhibited by the genotypes, G-10, and G-29. Minimum commercial heterosis (-0.76%) for the trait of 50% silking was calculated for the genotype, G-10 (-2.30%). Plant height trait indicated shortest plants for the genotype G-5 with a numerical value of 126.7cm. Minimum commercial heterosis was recorded for the genotype, G-5 (-22.0%) for the aforementioned quantitative trait. Among the genotypes, G-10exhibitedhighest ear height (85.8cm). Maximum commercial heterosis was recorded for the plants of the genotype, G-10for the trait of ear height with a value 17.04%. Greatest plant populationhectare-1(64667 ha-1)was indicated by the genotype, G-44.Highest commercial heterosis was revealed for the genotype, G-44 (5.43%) for plant population hectare-1. Maximum earshectare-1 was found for the genotype, G-56 (67333 ha-1). Maximum commercial heterosis was founded by the genotype G-56 (9.78%). Highest grain yieldhectare-1 (8590 kg ha-1) was produced by the genotype, G-62.

Characterization of the biochemical and nutritional content in simple white grain maize (Zea mays L.) crosses

E Objective: To characterize the nutritional and biochemical content of 25 genotypes: 5 S4 inbred lines and the 20 possible single crosses formed between them. Design/Methodology/Approach: The content of oil, starch, protein, ash and phytic acid was determined in kernels of each genotype, using the American Association of Cereal Chemists’ methods; the information obtained was analyzed by a complete randomized experimental design and Tukey’s means tests. Results: For the parents and the crosses, correspondingly, the intervals of the substances under study were: a) Oil: from 5.99 to 3.84 and 6.40 to 3.55 g ∙ 100 g-1, b) Protein: from 8.26 to 5.43 and 9.83 to 5.56 g ∙ 100 g-1, c) Starch: from 88.25 to 74.48 and 96.64 to 72.57 g ∙ 100 g-1, d) Ash: from 1.90 to 1.20 and 2.0 to 0.89 g ∙ 100 g-1, e) Phytic acid: from 2.40 to 1.08 and 2.29 to 1.11 g ∙ 100 g-1. Study Limitations/Implications: The study shows that in comparison to the parents, the crosses were only significantly superior in the content of starch, although there were statistical differences of the contents within each group. The crosses that showed higher contents for a nutritional component were those in which at least one parent had a high composition of the nutrient. Findings/Conclusions: The variation in the nutritional and biochemical content showed that there is diversity among genotypes, which is linked to the contrasting genetic origin of the inbred lines and is feasible to be used. This research showed the potential of taking advantage of the nutritional components of white maize through crosses (specially its starch content).

Improvement of plant regeneration efficiency using polyamines for double haploid production in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Polyamines are low molecular weight nitrogen containing compounds present in all living organisms. These are considered to be a new class of plant hormones, and play a positive role in plant growth and developmental processes including cell division, in vitro organogenesis and somatic, and zygotic embryogenesis. In our study, three polyamines PUT, SPD and SPM were used alone and in combinations in plant regeneration medium for in vitro plant regeneration from embryo developed through wheat × maize cross for double haploid production in wheat. Usually, these embryos have low regeneration efficiency but polyamines addition alone and in combinations in plant regeneration medium enhanced plant regeneration frequency as compared to control. Lower concentration of polyamines (1 and 2 ppm) has been found to be effective as compared to higher concentration (5 ppm). The polyamine concentration 1 ppm found to be promising concentration to improve plant regeneration. The combination of polyamines PUT+SPD (0.5 ppm+0.5ppm) proved better than other combinations to enhance plant regeneration frequency. The combination of PUT+SPD+SPM (0.5 ppm + 0.25 ppm + 0.25 ppm) although reduced plant regeneration frequency but plants were more vigorous and healthy.

Phule Maharshi-A Single Cross Maize Hybrid for Maharashtra

Phule Maharshi (QMH-1025), a single cross maize hybrid from public sector in Maharashtra is developed from the cross between QMI-1403 x QMI-1401 by hybridization technique. It is high yielding, orange yellow, semi-flint type, midlate maturing, resistant to Maydis leaf blight, Fusarium stalk rot, and moderately resistant to Turcicum leaf blight, Banded leaf & sheath blight and Charcoal rot. It is also resistant to Stem borer (Chilo partellus Sw.) in field condition. It is superior for crude protein and fibre, starch, Mn and Ca over the check Rajarshi and suitable for Kharif and Rabi season. In various states and varietal trials, the maize hybrid QMH1025 consistently recorded best performance. During Kharif season, QMH-1025 recorded 7605 Kg ha-1 grain yield, which was 37.27 percent higher than Rajarshi ( 5540 Kg ha-1) and 24.20 percent higher than the national check Bio.9637( 6123 Kg ha-1). In Rabi season, it recorded 8761 Kg ha-1 grain yield which was 19.60 percent and 29.45 percent higher than the checks Rajarshi (7326 Kg ha-1) and Bio.9637 (6768 Kg ha-1), respectively. Overall QMH-1025 recorded 27.20 percent higher yield ( 8183 Kg ha-1) over the check Rajarshi (6433 Kg ha-1) and 26.95 percent over the national check Bio.9637 (6446 Kg ha-1) in Kharif and Rabi season. The maize hybrid is released under the name ‘Phule Maharshi’ for Kharif and Rabi season for Maharashtra State in 2016.

Mega-environment analysis of maize breeding data from Brazil

The development and recommendation of single cross maize hybrids (SH) to be used in extensive land areas (mega-environments), and in different crop seasons requires many experiments under numerous environmental conditions. The question we asked is if the data from these multi-environment experiments are sufficient to identify the best hybrid combinations. The aim of this study was to critically analyze the phenotype data of experiments of yield, established by a large seed producing company, under a high level of imbalance. Data from evaluation of 2770 SH were used from experiments conducted over four years, involving the first and second crop seasons, in 50 locations of different years and regions of Brazil. Different types of analysis were carried out and genetic and non-genetic components were estimated, with emphasis on the different interactions of the SH with the environments. Results showed that the coincidence of common hybrids in these experiments is normally small. The estimates of the correlations between of the hybrids coinciding in the environments two by two is of low magnitude. The hybrid × crop season interaction was always expressive; however, the interactions of hybrids and other environmental variables were also important. Under these conditions, alternatives were discussed for making with the information obtained from the experiments, can be more efficient on the process to obtain new hybrids by companies.

Heterosis in relation to genetic divergence in short duration maize (Zea mays L.)

Thirteen lines and three testers were used to produce 39 single cross maize hybrids by line Ítester mating design. The genetic divergence among thirteen lines and three tester of maize were estimated by using Mahalanobis D2 statistic for twelve characters. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters. Cluster I comprised 12 parental genotypes (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5; L6, L7, L8, L9, L11; L12, L13), while Cluster II (T3), III (T1), IV (L10) and V (T2) were mono-genotypic, suggesting more variability in genetic makeup of the genotypes included in these clusters. The correlation coefficients and linear regressions were used to know the effects of parental genetic distance in determining heterosis and per se performance of the hybrids. Parental genetic distance exhibited significant negative association and significant linear regression along with very low coefficient of determination with better parent heterosis (BPH) and non-significant with per se performance of the hybrids. The present investigation, therefore, the parental genetic distance has significant role in determining heterosis and hybrid performance in kharif maize.

Some Genetic Parameters and Path Coefficient of Three-Way Crosses in Maize

Correlation and path coefficient analysis were worked out for ten morphological traits in 30 three-way crosses of maize. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation analysis indicated that ear length; row numbers per ear, grain numbers per row, leaf area and leaves numbers had a positive significant correlation with grain yield per plant. Further partitioning of correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects showed that traits days to silking, row numbers per row and leaves numbers had a positive direct effect on grain yield per plant. The traits ear length, grain numbers per row and leaf area had a maximum total effect on grain yield. Furthermore, PCA analysis has gave interested results and it supported the results of correlation and path analysis. The correlation and path analysis obviously indicated that direct selection based on these attributes may be useful in raising grain yield in maize.

Combining Ability for Quantitative Traits Under Normal And Heat Stress Conditions in Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Investigation was carried out to ascertain the genetic architecture for heat tolerance and yield components from diallel crosses in maize (Zea mays L.). The combining ability in both the normal and heat stress conditions revealed highly significant mean squares due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) in both the direct and reciprocal crosses for all the characters except for anthesis-silking interval in normal condition of the reciprocal crosses. Estimate of components of variance for 13 characters revealed higher SCA variance than that of GCA and reciprocal crosses for all the characters. CML 411 was good general combiner for grain yield in both the conditions, whereas, CML 306 and CML 307 were good general combiners in heat stress condition, and CML 164, CML 304 and CML 305 were average general combiners in normal condition. On the basis of high yield, high SCA and at least high GCA of seed parent, the CML 411*CML 305 and CML 411*CML 307 were identified as promising hybrids for normal and heat stress conditions, respectively. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 659-669, 2021 (September)

Xenia and Deficit Nitrogen Influence the Iron and Zinc Concentration in the Grains of Hybrid Maize

Xenia is the immediate effect of pollen on seed development after pollination. This study was conducted to investigate xenia’s effects on Fe and Zn concentration in self- and open-pollinated maize seeds. Eighteen maize hybrids derived from parents with varying concentrations of Fe and Zn were planted at Potchefstroom, Cedara and Vaalharts in South Africa for two seasons, 2017 and 2018. Open- and self-pollinated seeds were compared. Self-pollination of five selected healthy maize hybrids of uniform height from each plot was performed. Fe, Zn and phytic acid (Pa) analysis was conducted on self -and open-pollinated maize seeds, and the molar ratios of Fe and Zn to Pa were also calculated to assess the bioavailability of Fe and Zn. The ranges of Fe, Zn and Pa, and the molar ratios of Fe and Zn to Pa in self-pollinated maize seeds were 15.93–21.36 mg kg−1, 18.50–24.34 mg kg−1, 4.63–5.84 mg g−1, 21.97–31.22 and 23.53–30.16 under high N, and 12.76–19.29 mg kg−1, 16.78–23.50 mg kg−1, 5.05–6.48 mg g−1, 26.12–44.54 and 25.44–35.94 under low N conditions, respectively. The ranges of Fe, Zn and Pa, and the molar ratios of Fe and Zn to Pa in open-pollinated seeds were 14.34–19.12 mg kg−1, 17.27–23.27 mg kg−1, 4.96–5.89 mg g−1, 20.90–28.22 and 22.92–29.37 under high N, and 12.54–18.39 mg kg−1, 16.94–20.93 mg kg−1, 5.30–6.17 mg g−1, 27.90–38.75 and 27.95–36.34 under low N conditions, respectively. The bioavailability of Fe and Zn was high in self-pollinated seeds under high N conditions, while Fe was higher in self-pollinated seeds, and Zn was higher in open-pollinated seeds under low N conditions. Combined over seasons, there were no significant differences between the values of Fe and Zn in self- and open-pollinated seeds under both high N and low N conditions. This indicated that unknown males had no influence on Fe and Zn concentration in maize. Therefore, either self- or open-pollinated seeds can be used for Fe and Zn determination in maize crosses.

Genetic insights on single cross maize hybrid and its importance on maize self-sufficiency in Nepal

When the world's population rises, total crop production worldwide is not meeting rising food demand. Focus on developing high yielding single cross hybrids of maize that are resource-efficient under diverse soil and climatic conditions is utmost for countries like Nepal. With the aim of exploring genetic reasons for higher hybrid vigor of single cross hybrid of maize, global genetic importance and addressing the emerging issue of needed higher productivity in Nepal to achieve maize self-sufficiency status, comprehensive review work was performed. Research findings explored that; the Heterosis hypothesis has been widely exploited in crop breeding, resulting in a large increase in yield. The ability analysis is of special importance in cross-pollinated crops like maize as it helps in identifying potential parents that can be used for producing hybrids and synthetics. New molecular tools and techniques can complement traditional methods to allow breeders to tackle priority research areas efficiently. Nepal’s reliance on imported hybrid maize seed and grain increased each year as competitive hybrid cultivars became unavailable within the country. Recently, higher yield gap due to lower productivity, being the major concern in Nepal, single cross hybrids are intervention point. For the countries like Nepal, where achieving higher yield of maize to address self-sufficiency is the nationally prioritized issue, single cross hybrids of maize could be the best way to come up.

Optimization of training sets for genomic prediction of early-stage single crosses in maize.

Training population optimization algorithms are useful for efficiently training genomic prediction models for single-cross performance, especially if the population is extended beyond only realized crosses to all possible single crosses. Genomic prediction of single-cross performance could allow effective evaluation of all possible single crosses between all inbreds developed in a hybrid breeding program. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effect of different levels of relatedness on genomic predictive ability of single crosses, evaluate the usefulness of deterministic formula to forecast prediction accuracy in advance, and determine the potential for TRS optimization based on prediction error variance (PEVmean) and coefficient of determination (CDmean) criteria. We used 481 single crosses made by crossing 89 random recombinant inbred lines (RILs) belonging to the Iowa stiff stalk synthetic group with 103 random RILs belonging to the non-stiff stalk synthetic heterotic group. As expected, predictive ability was enhanced by ensuring close relationships between TRSs and target sets, even when TRS sizes were smaller. We found that designing a TRS based on PEVmean or CDmean criteria is useful for increasing the efficiency of genomic prediction of maize single crosses. We went further and extended the sampling space from that of all observed single crosses to all possible single crosses, providing a much larger genetic space within which to design a training population. Using all possible single crosses increased the advantage of the PEVmean and CDmean methods based on expected prediction accuracy. This finding suggests that it may be worthwhile using an optimization algorithm to select a training population from all possible single crosses to maximize efficiency in training accurate models for hybrid genomic prediction.

Genetic analysis for some top crosses of yellow maize

Twenty elite yellow maize inbred lines were crossed as female parents with three different testers as male parents, i.e. Gem. Pop. (Broad genetic base), Single cross 101(Narrow genetic base) and Inbred line 100 (Narrow genetic base) at the Experiment Research Station of Moshtohor, Benha University, Egypt during 2014 growing summer season. The resulting 60 crosses with three commercial check hybrids i.e. SC 155, SC Pioneer 3080 and TWC 352 were evaluated in a yield trial in two sowing dates during 2015 growing summer season. The results showed that, sowing dates, crosses, lines, testers and line x testers mean squares were significant for all traits. The seven parental inbred lines (L-4, L-5, L-10, L-12, L-13, L-14 and L-19) possessed high GCA effects for grain yield and six lines (L-1, L-7, L-10, L-13, L-16 and L-18) possessed high GCA effects for earliness. These lines can be utilized as promising inbred lines in a hybridization program to develop high yielding and early maturity maize hybrids. The seven crosses (T-1 × L-7, T-1 × L-13, T-1 × L-17, T-2 × L-4, T-2 × L-5, T-2 × L-10 and T-2 × L-12) which had out-yielded significantly the best check SC. 3080 could be utilized for future breeding work as well as for direct release after confirming the stability of their performances observed in the current study. Hence, the information from this study may possibly be useful for researchers who would like to develop high yielding hybrids of maize.