Combining ability, main performance and Superiority percentages of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines using line x testers analysis

Three field experiments were carried out during 2022 summer season at three diverse locations of Gemmeiza, Sakha and Mallawy Experimental Stations of Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt. Thirty crosses (ten inbred lines crossed with three testers inbred line Sd. 7, Sk. 5 and SC 130) and four standard checks SC 10, SC 2031, TWC 321 and TWC 324 were evaluated for yield and yield related traits to evaluate using line × tester mating design. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for most traits indicating existence of variability among genotypes. Results showed that maternal parents play the most important role. The general combining ability effect showed that Gm. 1031, Gm.62 and Sk.5 are good combiners for earliest, shortened and lower ear placement. Four inbred lines (Gm. 267, Gm. 50, Gm.66 and Gm. 64) and testers Sk.5 were good general combiner for grain yield. The crosses (Gm. 62×Sc. 130), (Gm. 66× Sk.5) and (Gm. 64×sd. 7) had significant values of SCA for plant and ear height and the cross (Gm. 52 × SC. 130) had significant values of SCA for grain yield. Most of all crosses had better performance than check varieties for earliness, short plant and lower ear placement. The two crosses (Gm. 64×Sk.5) and (Gm. 64×SC. 130) were better than all check varieties for grain yield. For grain yield, the cross (Gm. 66×Sd. 7) had a significant superiority percentage over check (SC 2031) while the two crosses (Gm. 52×SC. 130) and (Gm. 64 × SC.130) had significant superiority percentages over checks (TWC321 and TWC324). Therefore, Identify superior crosses to improve the yielding ability in maize breeding programs.