Heterotic grouping of Indian baby corn lines based on combining ability

Abstract

The present study involved estimating the combining ability effects and heterotic grouping to increase the efficacy of parental selection for successful hybrid development. A total of 52 F1 hybrids were generated by Line × Tester mating design by crossing 26 diverse maize inbred lines with two testers, namely, HKI 323 and HKI 1105. The 26 baby corn inbred lines were classified into a different heterotic group based on the specific combining ability (SCA) effects and heterotic groups specific and general combining ability (HSGCA). The SCA effects and HSGCA of baby corn yield without husk (BCY) classified the inbred lines into five and four groups, respectively. This is the first study of heterotic’s grouping for baby corn germplasm considering BCY based on SCA and HSGCA methods. The information generated through heterotic grouping may be used to derive new inbred lines and develop different heterotic combinations for further utilization in breeding programs.