Combining Ability and Cluster Analysis of Some Maize Inbred Lines

Sixteen maize inbred lines were used in an 8×8 incomplete diallel cross experiment to form 64 cross combinations and their general combining ability(GCA),special combing ability(SCA) and genetic parameters of 14 agronomic traits were recorded,including plant height,ear height,growth duration,ear length,kernels per ear,grain yield per plot.The results showed that the GCA and SCA of all the agronomic traits studied were significantly high and were controlled mainly by additive genes.Considered comprehensively,7 inbred lines(561,B603-6-1,8954,4781tl41,268,549 and 478C4) had relatively good GCA characters and they would be useful in developing the crosses with strong heterosis.Cluster analysis divided the 16 maize inbred lines into 6 groups,i.e.① 549 and 8954;② 268,478C4,Dong4011,N7931 and 478G;③ 4781tl41 and Su11;④ 561 and B603-6-1;⑤ WJ01,Shi79 and 1058;and(6) Ji1037 and 200H.