Study on Heterotic Groups Among Maize Inbred Lines Based on SCA

The combining ability and heterotic groups of 18 maize inbred lines used predominantly in China were analyzed based on the data from 2 year and 2 location experiments. Design II and testers of Mo17, B73, Huangzao4, Dan340, K12, K22 were adopted. The results indicated that 18 inbred lines were classified into 5 heterotic groups, i.e. Lancaster (Mo17 and P138), Reid (B73, 8112, Tie7922 and Ye107), Sipingtou (Huangzao4, K12 and 515), Luda Red Cob ( Dan340, E28, Zi330 and 8 93) and PA group (K22, CA156, Ye478 and Shen5003). The combinations of K12×8 93, B73×S37, B73×8 93, K22×S37, Mo17×8 93, Mo17×S37, Dan340×Tie7922, Dan340×P138 and Dan340×S37 performed best among 72 entries. Inbred lines K12, S37, 8 93 and Dan340 were good combiners and are involved to produce high yielding hybrids. They will be the predominant lines in maize breeding and commercial production in China.