Selection of S3 progenies of forage maize based on topcrosses with different testers

Maize forage is commonly used as silage in milk and beef cattle livestock production systems. Despite the wide variety of maize hybrids with high potential for grain production, few available have been developed exclusively aptitude. The present study aimed to select S3 progenies derived from single hybrid AS1572 based on combining ability traits topcrosses testers AG8025, 70.H26.1, MLP102. 135 resulting topcross were assessed partial diallel Guarapuava Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil. Were evaluated contents neutral detergent fiber (NDF, %DM) acid (ADF, %DM), dry matter yield (DMY, t ha-1), situ digestibility (DIG, %DM). For all traits, variability allowed us superior progenies. Progenies 3.1, 22.1, 39.1stood out terms NDF, ADF, DIG, whereas 47.1, 73.1, 79.1, 90.2 efficient increasing yield. AG8025 narrow genetic base, are best explore among