Genetic potential evaluation of Iranian corn Inbred lines using griffing diallel and AMMI model

Estimation of genetic diversity, combining ability and heterosis of maize inbred lines for breeding aims are very important and would determine breeding strategies. In order[dfp1] to estimate potential genetic Iranian corn inbred lines using diallel and AMMI methods, fourteen corn inbred lines cross were studied according to diallel scheme. Parents and their hybrids were evaluated in 2007 at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, using Randomized Complete Block design with three replications. Results indicated that Significant differences (p<0.01) were observed among the genotypes for all studied traits, therefore Griffing’s method 2, model 1 was chosen for subsequent diallel analysis. Variances due to GCA and SCA were significant for all studied traits (P < 0.01). Results indicated that for number of kernel row per ear, 100 seed weight, cob percent and kernel moisture percent additive gene effects were more important than the non additive ones, but for grain yield, plant height, ear height, ear diameter, number of kernel per row and number of kernel per ear non additive gene effects were more important than the additive ones. For ear length and kernel weight per ear, importance of additive and non additive gene effects was the same. The best AMMI model for yield was AMMI3 explained 75.6% of interaction variance. The best general combinatory for yield were K166B, K3615/2 and K3653 lines. The highest specific combining ability and mid-parent heterosis for yield according to Griffing, first and second AMMI components, was observed in MO17 × K3653, K166B × K3653, K166B × K3653, A679 × K3544/1 and K3653 × K3493/1.