African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6894

Full Length Research Paper

Comparison of the effectiveness of heterotic grouping methods in classifying intermediate maturing maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines under stressful and non-stressful environments

Priscilla Francisco Ribeiro
  • Priscilla Francisco Ribeiro
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Charles Afriyie-Debrah
  • Charles Afriyie-Debrah
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Allen Oppong
  • Allen Oppong
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Maxwell Darko Asante
  • Maxwell Darko Asante
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Eric Baffoe
  • Eric Baffoe
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Desmond Darko Asiedu
  • Desmond Darko Asiedu
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Matilda Bissah
  • Matilda Bissah
  • CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 7, Bunso, Ghana.
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Emmanuel Acquah
  • Emmanuel Acquah
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Kwadwo Adofo
  • Kwadwo Adofo
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
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  •  Received: 15 April 2023
  •  Accepted: 11 July 2023
  •  Published: 31 August 2023

Abstract

The effectiveness of a hybrid breeding program depends on the heterotic patterns that can be used to utilize grain-yield heterosis. This study was carried out to (a) categorize inbred lines into heterotic groups using three different methods and (b) determine the most effective heterotic grouping method for categorizing set of inbred lines.  A total of 96 hybrids generated from thirty-two set of inbred lines crossed to three elite testers (87036, 1368 and 9071) using the line × tester design were evaluated together with three checks under low N (30 kg ha-1) and high N (90 kg ha-1 N) environments at three locations in Ghana. Classification of inbred lines were based on three different methods: Heterotic group's specific and general combining ability (HSGCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and general combining ability effects of multiple traits (HGCAMT). The SCA approach, which had the highest breeding efficiency across all test environments, was ultimately determined to be the most effective way for classification. The inbred in each heterotic group may be recombined to form populations which could be improved through recurrent selection. The various heterotic groups can be useful in designing hybridization strategies to create maize hybrids that are both high-yielding and tolerant to low levels of nitrogen in stressful environments.

Key words: Inbreds, nitrogen, heterotic, grouping, efficiencies, hybrids, maize.