Yield combining ability and components in two groups of inbred lines of maize

The objective of this work was to estimate the effects of the General Combining Ability (GCA) of inbreed lines, and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) of its crosses, and to evaluate its use in maize hybridization program. The present work was conducted in two stages; in year 2006 the crosses were done at the experimental station from Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro Unidad Laguna (UAAANUL), and evaluation of the crosses was conducted in year 2007, at two localities and in three environments: UAAAN's experimental station during spring and summer cycles, Niagara and Aguascalientes Municipality during the spring cycle. The genetic material used were two groups of inbred lines, the first formed by four inbred lines from UAAANUL, and the second group was formed by ten inbred lines from Centro Internacional para el Mejoramiento del Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT). The estimation of General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) were obtained using a test of line x line. CML254 (10.88 t/ha) and AN447 (6.64 t/ha) had the highest effects of GCA for both groups. The highest effects of SCA were for CML264 x AN447 (128.8 t/ha) and CML247 x AN123 (116.2 t ha1). These results show that is possible to structure a maize hybridization program, using the best inbred lines from CIMMYT and UAAANUL.