Heterosis and Combining Ability Studies in A 5x5 Diallel Crosses of Maize Inbred Lines

The present study was conducted to evaluate the genetic architecture of five diverse maize genotypes using combining ability analyses. General (GCA) mean squares were non-significant for grain yield and its related components. Specific (SCA) highly significant yield, number grains per row cob girth while days tasseling, silking, plant height, height length. These studies suggested preponderance non-additive type gene action additive MIL2020-51 MIL2020-52 good general combiners row, height. lines poorest combiner 50% tasseling silking which that these had sufficient genes inducing earliness. crosses x MIL2020-54, MIL2020-53, MIL2020-55, MIL2020-53 MIL2020-55and MIL2020-55 best performing combinations yield. involved poor combiners. reciprocal cross MIL20220-51, MIL2020-54I MIL2020-52, MIL2020-51, MIL2020-54 MIL2020-51and showed large positive estimates suggesting cytoplasmic inheritance also a role in expression SCA variances higher than GCA length highlighted major traits. Additive found more important