Received: 30-03-2018 / Accepted: 20-06-2018
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the combining ability of erect leaf maize inbred lines for grain yield and leaf angle using tester x line analysis. Twelve erect leaf maize inbred lines and three testers, T1, T2 and T3, were crossed in a tester x line scheme in 2017 spring season. Growth and development of thirty-six testcrosses, the check GS9989, and fifteen parental lines were evaluated in a randomized complete block design in 2017 winter season. Results showed that the lines had leaf angle in the range from 26.5o to 30.8o; whle leaf angle of testcrosses varied from 24.1o to 43.1o. Three lines, D3, D6 and D9 showed high GCA values and can be used in hybrid breeding program. D9 line had significant GCA and high variance for SCA, thus, it is a valuable source in maize breeding. The T3 tester had higher GCA effect for leaf angle and yield and T2 tester had higher effect for leaf angle. Five testcrosses, T3xD3 (72.8 tons per ha); T3xD6 (72,2 tons per ha); T2xD9 (70.2 tons per ha); T3xD9 (83.1 tons per ha) and T2xD10 (77.1 tons per ha) with erect leaf and yield being higher or equal to the check GS9989, are promising for further testing and large scale demonstration for releasing new hybrids suitable for high density cultivation.