HETEROSIS AND LINE-BY-TESTER COMBINING ABILITY ANALYSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD AND PROVITAMIN A IN MAIZE

Developing a high-yielding and provitamin A-rich maize variety is one of the best approaches to reduce malnutrition increase production, especially in regions where staple food, such as, former Katanga Province Democratic Republic Congo. However, it requires good knowledge combining ability heterosis for grain yield A. Thus, evaluating yield, A content other agronomic traits eight lines, four testers, their 32 hybrids occurred during 2015-2016 2016-2017 cropping seasons. The results showed that genetic parameters related among various F1 influenced all studied except plant height. parental genotypes P6 P10 were suitable improving 100-kernel weight, stature at ear insertion, content. P7, P4, P2 promising content, while genotype P3 was leading yield. Five (P10 × P5, P6, P8, P11 P5) distinction as specific combinations productivity hybrid with desirable revealed helpful combination producing double triple highest potential. Crosses P5 can serve cross P7 P8 presented could benefit future breeding programs develop high elements, alleviating food insecurity malnutrition.