Enhancing Drought Tolerance and Striga hermonthica Resistance in Maize Using Newly Derived Inbred Lines from the Wild Maize Relative, Zea diploperennis

Recurrent drought and Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth parasitism constrains maize production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Transfer of resistance genes from wild relatives can improve to tropical maize. The objectives this study were (i) determine the combining ability 12 extra-early yellow inbreds derived Zea diploperennis germplasm; (ii) classify into heterotic groups using grouping based on general (GCA) multiple traits (HGCAMT) method; (iii) examine hybrid performance under contrasting environments; (iv) stability combinations involving inbreds. Sixty-six diallel crosses plus four checks evaluated for two years drought, Striga-infested rainfed environments Nigeria. Significant differences (p < 0.05) observed effects genotype, environment, genotype × GCA specific (SCA) grain yield other measured traits. Inbred lines such as TZdEEI 7 TZEEI 63 Z. germplasm exceeded by a range 28 41%. Across environments, 1 7, which was diploperennis, highest-yielding with 4302 kg ha?1. results revealed predominance over SCA most traits, suggesting that additive gene action governed inheritance tolerance related classified three groups, while 79 identified inbred testers single-cross tester across environments. Hybrid 9 stable. Other promising hybrids 79, 95. These should be extensively tested on-farm potential commercialization SSA. Overall, our highlighted importance harnessing beneficial alleles improvement adapted germplasm.