In Brazil, about 2,495 thousand of hectares were cultivated with maize during the second crop season in 2002. This area was equivalent to 31% of the area employed for maize production during the traditional planting season. The present work was set up in 2002 to evaluate a set of diallel crosses in four environments to verify the combining ability of ten maize lines originated of french hybrids and one synthetic originated of commercial hybrids and the most promising combinations among their hybrids. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Data of grain yield, plant and ear height and number of days to female flowering were assessed. Diallel analysis was performed according to the GRIFFING’s method 2. Significant differences (P<0.05) for grain yield were observed among hybrids, locations and interaction hybrids x locations. In the joint diallel analysis, significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for specific combining ability (SCA) and interactions GCA x locations and SCA x locations, but not for GCA effects. Hybrids LD 82-019 x CP 88-003, LD 92-017 x LD 22-014, EPG-009 x CP 88-003 e CP 88-003 x JS 87-041 from lines with high GCA were selected to maximize grain yield in specific locations.
Zea mays; combining ability; heterosis; grain yield
