Standard heterosis of pipeline maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids for grain yield and yield related traits at Pawe, Northwestern Ethiopia

The knowledge of gene action and heterosis also helps in identification of superior F1 hybrids in order to use further in future breeding programs. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of standard heterosis of the pipeline maize hybrids for grain yield and yield related traits. A total of eleven pipeline maize hybrids and two standard checks (BH546 and BH547) were evaluated using randomized complete block design with three replications during the 2015 main cropping season at Northwestern Ethiopia. Mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) for most grain yield and yield related traits indicating the existence of genetic variation among the evaluated genotypes. The standard heterosis ranged from -38.72 to 33.65%and the highest heterosis was recorded for CML395/CML202//CML464 cross. The observed highest heterosis for grain yield and related traits indicated the possibility of increasing yield by exploiting heterotic potential of maize genotypes. The information generated by this study could be useful for researchers who need to develop high yielding maize hybrids.