Combining ability of baby corn inbred lines evaluated in 2007 spring season at Gia Lam, Hanoi

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the combining ability of eight selected maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines in diallel crosses and to identify candidates for promising hybrid combinations. Crosses and the check variety (Pacific 421) were evaluated in a RCB design with three replications during the 2007 spring season. Several agronomic characteristics were evaluated, however, only data on young cob yields were analyzed using Griffing's method IV. The means of the crosses ranged from 0.38 to 2.54 tons/hectare. The combining ability analysis of diallel showed highly significant (P < 0.05), general combining ability (GCA), and specific combining ability (SCA). Both GCA and SCA were important for these diallel crosses. Five hybrids showed higher yields than the commercial hybrid control.