Heterotic Patterns of IITA and CIMMYT Early‐Maturing Yellow Maize Inbreds under Contrasting Environments

Drought and low soil nitrogen (low‐N) constitute major constraints to maize (Zea mays L.) production in West Africa (WA). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) have developed drought and low‐N tolerant inbreds for Africa. Combinations between selected IITA and CIMMYT inbreds could produce outstanding hybrids. Diallel crosses of 12 IITA and five CIMMYT early yellow inbreds plus four checks were evaluated under drought, low‐N and optimal conditions at four locations in Nigeria for 2 yr. The objectives were to examine the combining ability of the inbreds for grain yield and other traits, classify the lines into heterotic groups, identify best testers under the contrasting environments, assess genotype × environment interactions and evaluate the yield performance and stability of single‐cross hybrids. Grouping of the inbred lines was done with heterotic group's specific combining ability (SCA) and general combining ability (GCA) (HSGCA), single nucleotide polymorphism based genetic distance (SNP‐GD) and GCA effects of multiple traits (HGCAMT) methods. The GCA mean squares for all traits were greater than SCA mean squares in all environments. The inbreds were classified into four heterotic groups each across environments by HSGCA and SNP‐GD while HGCAMT method placed them into three groups. HGCAMT was the most efficient followed by HSGCA and then SNP‐GD method. The HGCAMT identified inbreds ENT 17, ENT 15, and ENT 8 as best testers for heterotic Groups 1, 2, and 3. Hybrids TZEI 17 × ENT 15, and TZEI 149 × ENT 15 were outstanding across environments. Core Ideas Seventeen inbreds from CIMMYT and IITA were classified into four heterotic groups each across environments by HSGCA and SNP‐GD while HGCAMT method placed them into three groups. The HGCAMT is the most efficient heterotic grouping method and offers a great opportunity for grouping IITA inbreds that are yet to be grouped. The HGCAMT identified inbreds ENT 17, ENT 15, and ENT 8 as best testers for heterotic Groups 1, 2, and 3, across environments. ENT13, TZEI 17, and TZEI 16 may provide genes for drought and low‐N tolerance for broadening and diversifying genetic base of germplasm and to develop hybrids adapted to sub‐Saharan Africa. Planned crosses involving IITA and CIMMYT inbreds could produce outstanding hybrids for commercialization in SSA.