Abstract

PEREZ-LOPEZ, Francisco J. et al. High yielding inbred lines of maize as progenitors of single cross hybrids. Agrociencia [online]. 2014, vol.48, n.4, pp.425-437. ISSN 2521-9766.

In Mexico, maize (Zea mays L.) seed production of single cross hybrids is not profitable because the inbred lines used in these as the female parent are of low yield. The objective of this study was to assess the general and specific combining ability of 10 high yielding inbred lines of maize derived from adapted exotic maize populations to be used as parents for single cross hybrids. The 45 diallelic crosses between the 10 lines, the progenitors (Griffing's Method II), and four commercial hybrids used as controls, were assessed for three years in Montecillo, Estado de México. The lines were derived from a high-density cultivation system and gamma irradiation during eight cycles of selection. The traits evaluated were ear yield per plant, yield components, and days to female flowering. The lines with the greatest and lowest per se yield produced 7.34 and 5.45 t ha^-1, respectively. Line 3 showed the highest GCA effects along with a good behavior per se and also participated in three of the five single crosses with the highest yield. In contrast, Line 5, which was present in three of the five crosses with the lowest yield, showed a low yield per se, low GCA and low SCA in specific combinations. The crosses L3XL4 and L4XL5 matched the yield of the best check hybrids and were more precocious. The most productive lines could represent an advantage for the production of seed from single cross hybrids of high productive potential and at lower costs.

Keywords : Zea mays L.; combining ability; diallelic crosses; single cross hybrids.

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