Stability of combining ability effects in maize hybrids

Authors

  • Juarez Campolina Machado IAPAR; Área de Melhoramento e Genética Vegetal
  • João Cândido de Souza UFLA; Depto. de Biologia
  • Magno Antonio Patto Ramalho UFLA; Depto. de Biologia
  • José Luís Lima UFLA; Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética e Melhoramento de Plantas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162009000400010

Keywords:

Zea mays L., diallel, nonparametric statistics

Abstract

General and specific combining ability effects are important indicators in a maize (Zea mays L.) breeding program aiming hybrid development. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the general (GCA) and specific combining abilities (SCA) effects of commercial maize hybrids using a complete diallel scheme and to assess the stabilities of these estimates. Fifty-five entries were assessed; ten commercial single-crosses and all possible double-crosses. The experiments were carried out in 12 environments in the 2005/06 growing season. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications per environment. Ear yield was evaluated, corrected to 13% of moisture content. The combined diallel analysis involving all environments was performed and the stability of general and specific combining ability effects was investigated. The underlying nonparametric statistics evaluated the contribution of each effect to the genotype by environment interaction. Non-additive effects were more important for this set of hybrids than the additive effects. It was possible to select parents with high stability for combining ability and with high GCA.

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Published

2009-08-01

Issue

Section

Genetics and Plant Breeding

How to Cite

Stability of combining ability effects in maize hybrids . (2009). Scientia Agricola, 66(4), 494-498. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162009000400010