Combining Ability for some New Popcorn Inbred Lines under Two Plant Densities Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maize Research Dept., Field Crops Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

Popcorn is a globally consumed snack that has substantial nutritional advantages. The successful development of hybrids depends on the reliability estimating combining ability of new popcorn inbred lines. This study was conducted to estimate the combining ability of nine popcorn inbred lines through line × tester analysis. Nine inbred lines were crossed with two testers in 2022 season. The 18 resulting popcorn hybrids were assessed under two plant densities arranged as split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the 2023 season. All traits under study were not affected by plant densities except for grain yield. The plant density of 83333 plant/ha gave the highest grain yield compared to 69444 plant/ha. The mean squares of lines, testers and lines × testers were significant for all traits, except for plant height of testers. For the inheritance of days to 50% silking, plant and ear heights, grain yield, and unpopped kernels percentage, non-additive gene effects were more important than additive gene effects; the opposite was true for popping expansion. The best general combiners of inbred lines were Sk8 and Sk9 for earliness, grain yield, popping expansion and unpopped kernels. The two hybrids, Sk8×Sk52 and Sk9×Sk52, exhibited favorable SCA effects regarding quality characteristics, grain yield, and earliness. So, this study recommends using these two hybrids for evaluation in advanced stage in preparation for their use in commercial production.

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